Registration deadline is Sept. 1 for girls’ math-science event at MTSU

Lexi Tut performs a physics experiment in a “Physics Phun” workshop as part of the 25th annual Tennessee Girls in STEM Conference at MTSU in the Science Building in early April. About 100 middle school and 75 high school girls participated in the event that was all about science, technology, engineering and math. The 26th conference this fall will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, on campus. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Registration ends soon for the 26th annual Tennessee Girls in STEM Math and Science Conference at MTSU, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

The deadline to register is Thursday, Sept. 1, event organizers said.

The STEM conference, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and math, will be held in person. Masks and hand sanitizers will be provided and are recommended in light of the ongoing pandemic.

MTSU Department of Physics and Astronomy associate professor Hanna Terletska, front right, discusses careers in science, technology, engineering and math with girls attending the 25th annual Tennessee Girls in STEM Conference at MTSU in the Science Building in April. The 26th conference will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, at MTSU. The deadline to register is Sept. 1. (MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy) — MTSU Department of Physics and Astronomy professor Hanna Terletska, front right, discusses careers in science, technology, engineering and math with girls attending the 25th annual Tennessee Girls in STEM Conference at MTSU in the Science Building in April. The 26th conference will be held Saturday, Sept. 24, at MTSU. The deadline to register is Sept. 1. (MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Middle school and high school girls — fifth through 12th graders — are welcome to participate. There is a $20 registration fee, but financial assistance is available.

To register and for more details, visit https://mtsu.edu/TGIS.

Tennessee Girls in STEM, or TGIS, helps girls and young women investigate science and mathematics careers, hear from women in math and science fields, participate in hands-on workshops and meet other girls interested in STEM. For its first 24 years, the event was known as the MTSU Expanding Your Horizons, or EYH, Conference.

Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, chemistry professor, director of the Women In STEM (WISTEM) Center at MTSU, and founder and director of Tennessee’s first Expanding Your Horizons girls’ STEM education workshop — Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross

“MTSU is providing for the future workforce in Tennessee, in the South and across the nation by introducing girls to STEM role models at our annual conference,” said MTSU chemistry professor Judith Iriarte-Gross, conference and WISTEM (Women in STEM) Center director.

“More than 25 years of supporting girls and women in STEM is an amazing track record,” she added. “Thanks to MTSU for hosting Tennessee Girls in STEM.”

Barbara Turnage, interim dean for the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, will be the keynote speaker for this year’s event. Her background is in social work, as are her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She earned her doctorate from Tulane University in New Orleans.

Dr. Barbara Turnage, interim dean, MTSU College of Behavioral and Health Sciences — Dr. Barbara Turnage

“I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to encourage and inform our next generation of leaders and innovators,” Turnage said.

Turnage said she will discuss “the importance of finding a career that fits their skillset and their interests.”

Key points in her talk will include the difference between a career and a job, balancing work and life, the importance of money to live and not selecting a career because of the money associated with it, plus fielding audience questions.

Turnage is a recipient of the John Pleas Faculty Recognition Award, which presented annually to a Black MTSU faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and service.

The conference is sponsored by the MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences and University College, Nissan, Schneider Electric, Texas Instruments, Newell Brands and the Nashville local section of the American Chemical Society.

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