Registration is underway for the 24th annual Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science Conference at MTSU, which will be held virtually from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

This will be the first virtual EYH conference, which, like many public events has been moved to an online environment as a safety precaution to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Andrea Eller, an MTSU alumna who recently earned her doctorate in biological anthropology and works at the Smithsonian Institution, will be the keynote speaker for the Saturday, Oct. 3, virtual EYH conference for girls and young women. (Submitted photo)

Middle school and high school girls — those who’ll be fifth through 12th graders — are welcome to participate virtually. There is no registration fee.

To register and for more details, visit www.mtsu.edu/eyh.

Expanding Your Horizons, or EYH, helps girls and young women investigate science and mathematics careers, hear from women in math and science, observe science and math workshops and learn about other girls interested in the STEM disciplines of math, science, engineering and technology.

Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross

EYH Director Judith Iriarte-Gross said the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Motlow and Volunteer State community colleges will partner with MTSU, providing workshop leaders and speakers on the day of the virtual event.

Andrea Eller, who recently earned her doctorate and works at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., will be the EYH keynote speaker via video conferencing at noon on Oct. 3.

“Andrea is an MTSU graduate and STEM mentor,” said Iriarte-Gross, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and director of the MTSU Women in STEM (WISTEM) Center.

“She is very excited to share her journey from MTSU to the Smithsonian with our EYH girls.”

Eller is the daughter of Dr. Jackie Eller, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and former interim vice provost for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of EYH at MTSU.

Off-campus sponsors include Nissan North America, Schneider Electric, Texas Instruments and others. On-campus support is provided in part by the WISTEM Center, the Office of the Provost and the College of Basic and Applied Sciences.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)