Johns Hopkins APL to Host ‘Girl Power,’ STEM Event on March 10

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) will host “Girl Power,” a free opportunity for elementary and middle school girls to learn about careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), on Sunday, March 10, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on APL’s campus in Laurel, Maryland.

Celebrating its 13th year, Girl Power is supported by the Maryland Space Business Roundtable and Women in Technology of Howard County. Nearly 600 girls, along with their families, attended last year’s program.

Attendees have the opportunity to talk to professional women in STEM careers such as aerospace, computer science, electrical engineering, geology, information technology and space mission engineering.

Activities attendees can expect this year include augmented reality and virtual reality, robot demonstrations, infrared technology, space exploration, biomechanics and more. APL is partnering again this year with Women in Technology Central Maryland, an initiative of the Howard Tech Council; they are providing seven technology based hands-on workshops.

APL’s STEM outreach efforts date back to 1976. Today, its related educational initiatives reach about 3,500 students and community residents yearly, through events such as Girl Power, the Maryland MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) program, STEM Academy, and ASPIRE high school mentoring.

“Girl Power is part of the APL STEM Program Management Office’s strategic plan for introducing young women to STEM, which we hope will lead to continued participation in programs that provide authentic STEM experiences,” said Dwight Carr, STEM program manager. “It is my hope that we continue to lead the way in gender equity for STEM careers, and Girl Power is one step toward achieving that objective.”

Girl Power will be held in APL’s Kossiakoff Center, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, Maryland. Admission is free, no registration is required, and all family members and the public are welcome to attend. Maps and directions are available at https://www.jhuapl.edu/About/Directions.

Girl Power is sponsored by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the Maryland Space Business Roundtable. Women in Technology Central Maryland (an initiative of the Howard Tech Council) run our Women in Technology Hall with educational interactive workshops.

In case of bad weather, check the APL STEM website at www.jhuapl.edu/STEM. For additional information, call 240-228-STEM (7836).

Girl Power is open to the media and offers many photo, video and interview opportunities. Members of the media interested in attending and covering Girl Power are asked to contact Gina.Ellrich@jhuapl.edu by Thursday, March 7.