On Friday, Nov. 4, more than 560 seventh- and eighth-grade girls will travel to the University of Missouri-Rolla campus to learn how fun science, mathematics, engineering and technology can be.

Girls who attend “Expanding Your Horizons,” a one-day conference to be held at UMR Friday, Nov. 4, will interact with women working in traditionally male occupations, participate in hands-on workshops, meet other young women with similar interests, and learn about career opportunities for women in mathematics, engineering, science and technology.

Attendees will participate in four sessions, including two hands-on workshops, a career panel, and a keynote speech by UMR graduate Linda Wright, senior advisor of planning coordination for ExxonMobil Chemical Co.

Expanding Your Horizons offers participants 22 different hands-on workshop topics, including a veterinarian and her pets, isolating DNA, glass making, electricity and magnets, and perceiving verbal and non-verbal communications. Participants can build an edible gum drop dome, perform forensic analysis to solve a medical mystery and learn how solar energy can be used in everyday living.

“We hope that by providing young women with information, role models and positive hands-on experiences at EYH, they will become more interested in and aware of careers in math, science, engineering and technology,” says Laura Grentz, coordinator of distance and continuing education at UMR. “We also strive to enhance their confidence to succeed in math and science studies.”

For more information on Expanding Your Horizons, contact UMR’s distance and continuing education office at (573) 341-4442. Information is also available online at dce.mst.edu; click on “Pre-College and Summer Programs."