(Left photo) Walnut Springs Middle School Student Selma Mohamed works to create her “My Intent” bracelet. (Right photo) With assistance from volunteer Tia Johnson, owner of Enlighten Angle Financial Group, LLC, Blendon Middle School Students Kaydence Brown and Glory Oguntuyi present to peers during the day’s Financial Responsibilities session.
Eighth-grade girls from Blendon, Heritage and Walnut Springs middle schools who participate in the M.O.D.E.L Mentoring Program attended the January 15th Girls in STEM Day event at Westerville North High School. M.O.D.E.L., or Mentors Opening Doors Enriching Lives, is a mentoring opportunity for girls in 7th and 8th grades. The program provides women with the opportunity to volunteer as mentors and engage with girls once a month during lunch to address topics related to health, wellness, self-esteem, relationships, education and career exploration.
The goal of the day was to introduce more female students to the many opportunities available to them in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). It is hoped that pupils will either see, hear, or experience something during the event that will spark their interest and prompt them to enroll in a STEM-related course this year, before they begin their high school journey.
During Girls in STEM Day, students were exposed to opportunities in four areas: public speaking, financial management, designing and creating a My Intent bracelet in the SHOP and teambuilding/ STEM design challenges.
Participants ended their day listening to a panel of girls and women in various fields, including:
- Emily Enyame, senior and former M.O.D.E.L. student at Westerville Central High School;
- Savannah Malone, junior and former M.O.D.E.L. student.attending Westerville Central High School and Delaware Career Center; and
- Anne Baldwin, Westerville City Schools Career Tech and College Readiness Coordinator.
Panelists shared their academic journey, advice, and insights to help spark ideas for course selection during the upcoming scheduling season.
Approximately 120 students and mentors attended the event, which was believed to be a great success. For additional information on MODEL Mentoring, please contact Cynthia DeVese at DeveseC@wcsoh.org or Tami Cole-Santa at SantaT@wcsoh.org. For information on the district’s STEM pathways, contact Anne Baldwin at BaldwinA@wcsoh.org.