33 enthusiastic female students from Tecumseh Middle School embarked on an enriching journey to Eastern Michigan University to participate in the renowned Digital Divas conference. These TMS students participate in Project Lead The Way (PLTW) at TMS and delved into a world of STEM exploration and empowerment during the event.
The Digital Divas program, designed to inspire and educate middle school girls about opportunities in STEM fields, provided an immersive experience aimed at achieving several pivotal objectives. Among these goals were introducing the students to diverse career paths within STEM, fostering interest in STEM majors for future academic pursuits, and ensuring equitable access for underrepresented female demographics in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Additionally, the conference aimed to challenge gender stereotypes often associated with STEM professions while promoting ethical and safe online behaviors.
Highlighting the seamless integration of the PLTW curriculum with the conference’s invaluable lessons, PLTW teacher Eryn Stamper underscores the transformative journey embarked upon by her students.
“Attending the Digital Divas conference is a fun and exciting event for our students! It is a great way to introduce our students to different STEM careers and give them hands-on experience in the different sessions they attend,” said Stamper. “There is a direct correlation between what they are learning in PLTW and the information being conveyed at the conference. We’re so glad we have this opportunity to attend each year.”
Throughout the day, the Tecumseh Middle School PLTW students engaged in various interactive workshops and activities, immersing themselves in the practical applications of STEM concepts. Each session offered a unique opportunity for the students to explore their interests and expand their horizons, from coding challenges to engineering experiments.
The Digital Divas event catalyzed inspiration and empowerment, igniting a passion for STEM among the participants and reinforcing the importance of diversity and inclusion in the field. As these young trailblazers return to their classrooms, they carry with them newfound knowledge and a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.
