Girl Scouts STEM Expo sparks curiosity, confidence, and career dreams at PFW

What does it take to become an astronaut?

For former NASA astronaut and engineer Sandra Magnus, it starts with helping young people imagine what's possible.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of role models," Magnus said during the Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana STEM Expo at Purdue University Fort Wayne on Sept. 26. "My passion as a role model is to inspire girls to imagine themselves and to see the possibility of themselves working in STEM and helping them understand how fun it is and how challenging it is, and how positive it is for the world." 

That message resonated throughout the International Ballroom as hundreds of Girl Scouts and their families explored hands-on exhibits, met STEM professionals, and learned about educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Hosted by Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana, the free event welcomed girls in grades K-12 for a morning of discovery featuring more than 30 STEM professionals, interactive activities, breakout sessions, and opportunities to explore fields ranging from engineering and robotics to animal science and 3D printing. 

According to Sharon Pohly, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana, the expo was designed to help girls maintain their interest and confidence in STEM as they grow older.

"Girls tend to have interest in STEM when they're young, but around middle school they tend to back off," Pohly said. "What we want is for girls to have confidence in math and science and recognize the cool things you can do as a career in science and math." 

Pohly said community partnerships are essential to making that happen.

"It's invaluable. We couldn't do this without our community partners," she said. "They're the ones that are actually going to be the hiring folks or the people that are going to continue in secondary education for these girls." 

Purdue University Fort Wayne has been a longtime partner in those efforts. According to Pohly, this year's expo marked the 11th STEM Expo held at PFW, with faculty and staff from multiple academic areas participating in hands-on demonstrations and exhibits. "Purdue Fort Wayne has been a great partner with us," she said. "We've had participation from departments in Purdue Fort Wayne from the beginning." 

Among those representing the university was Katy Henry, assistant dean in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science and director of youth programming.

Henry said events like the STEM Expo provide an important connection between classroom interests and future careers.

Henry noted that PFW's ongoing presence at community events helps young people become familiar with the university long before they begin considering college options.

She added that PFW aims to be a place where young people can learn not only about higher education, but also about the opportunities available throughout the region.

"We want Purdue Fort Wayne to be a one-stop shop for everybody," Henry said. " They can come here to learn about what we offer at the university, but they can also come to learn about careers and opportunities that exist within our community." 

For Magnus, whose career included three space missions and more than four months aboard the International Space Station, visibility is often the first step in inspiring future scientists and engineers. She recalled that she did not even know engineering was a career option when she was growing up.

"How could I imagine that I would study engineering if I didn't know it existed?" Magnus said. "How could I picture myself as an engineer if I didn't see someone that was like me, or someone I had a connection with who was doing it?" 

Events like the STEM Expo help answer those questions by introducing girls to professionals, educators, and role models who can help them envision new possibilities for their futures.

As families rotated between exhibits and conversations throughout the ballroom, the focus remained on exploration, confidence, and opportunity. For many attendees, the day offered more than hands-on STEM activities. It provided a glimpse of who they might become.

And for organizations like PFW and Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana, that's the ultimate goal: helping young people see that the interests they discover today can become the careers that shape tomorrow.