Expanding Your Horizons - Illinois State University
Published: May 6, 2012
Expanding Your Horizons Conference is an annual conference hosted by Illinois State University. The schools of Math, Science, and Technology come together to make this event possible. The Expanding Your Horizons conference is geared towards girls and boys grades fifth through tenth, encouraging them to develop careers in sciences and mathematics (defined to include physical, biological, behavioral, medical, technological, and social sciences).
Students from local public schools are invited to attend the conference. The goals of Expanding Your Horizons are to act as role models and provide support for students interested in or have shown aptitude in the math and sciences, encourage young girls to pursue academic and professional careers in the math and sciences, and to strengthen partnerships between the University and local schools and communities.
The Expanding Your Horizons Conference consists of workshops keynote speakers, highlighting women who work in math and sciences. This year’s keynote speaker, Coach Amanda Ritzler, spoke to the students about the power of positive thinking, encouraging the listeners to believe in themselves, and work through the obstacles of life.
After the keynote speaker, students were able to attend a wide variety of workshops, ranging from topics such as The Chemistry of Food, Slimeology 101, to Liquid Money. All of the workshops were hands-on, allowing students and adults alike to take part in math, science and physics in a fun way.
To capstone the day’s events, ISU academic departments and student clubs showcased mini science projects, again allowing onlookers to participate in the presentations. Students were able to pet animals of the Veterinary Club, learn about the properties of liquid nitrogen with the Chemistry Club, and try listening through stethoscopes at the School of Nursing display.
To learn more about the ISU Expanding Your Horizons Conference and how students from your school can attend next year, visit http://www.eyh.ilstu.edu/index.shtml.