Mentoring café a forum for Sandia researchers to spark girls’ interest in STEM careers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque middle school and high school girls will receive speed mentoring from influential female leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Sandia National Laboratories’ first STEM Mentoring Café on Saturday, March 12, at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

STEM Mentoring Café is a national, interagency effort designed by the departments of Energy and Education, the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the National Girls Collaborative Project.

During the hands-on program, which also recognizes both Women’s History Month and Museum Day Live!, students will take part in demonstrations and discussions led by women scientists and engineers from Sandia Labs. The goal of the workshop is to spark increased confidence for girls who are interested in STEM careers. The speed demonstrations will include a glow table, a fire exhibit and robotics.

Sandia President and Laboratories Director Jill Hruby will speak to the students about her journey — from being a girl with a passion for math and science to becoming the director of a national nuclear security laboratory. She will share some of the lessons she learned along the way.

“Women working in the fields of engineering and science change the world every day. I hope that my experiences will inspire these young women to gain the foundational education they will need to pursue STEM careers, despite any obstacles,” Hruby said.

LaDoris (Dot) Harris, director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the Department of Energy, also will speak about exciting opportunities in STEM fields.

STEM Mentoring Café was created in 2014 to address the critical shortage of women in STEM careers. Only a quarter of the STEM workforce is female even though women comprise more than half of all U.S. workers.