The Young Women’s Summer Institute (YWSI) provides girls with not only the skills, but also the confidence, to pursue science and technology fields so that they can make strong contributions to these fields in the not-too-distant future. Giving to fund 311146 through Campus Campaign allows Ohio students whose families demonstrate financial need to attend the camp.
YWSI is offered each summer through the Ohio Supercomputer Center to help young women develop a deeper interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, by solving a practical and interesting scientific problem. During the week, students conduct hands-on, streamside quality monitoring and chemical testing of Darby Creek, a state and national scenic river just southeast of Columbus. They then analyze their samples with the latest in computer technology, comparing their results with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency data for their small-group watershed projects. Participants also interact with successful women scientists to learn about their professional contributions to math, engineering, and science fields.
Throughout the weeklong residential program, students interact with each other and female mentors, take field trips to Ohio State scientific facilities and stay in residence halls on the OSU campus.
Through annual surveys and longitudinal studies conducted in 2004 and 2010, YWSI participants have indicated that they learn a great deal from the program. One participant commented in her final program evaluation, “I liked everything! I especially liked the way it was designed so that we got to experience many different types of science, the way we got to explore OSU, and how we learned so much!”
Five teachers selected for the program also benefit by gaining practical experience in project-based teaching, using real data to teach and conduct research and learning to effectively integrate technology into classroom activities.
Last year, two families received assistance for room and board so that their daughters could attend YWSI.
For more information, contact Kathryn Kelley at (614)292-6067 or kelley.81@osu.edu or visit www.ywsi.org. Make a gift to the YWSI fund online now.
