Discoveries Unlimited is taking an innovative, individual approach to inspiring and supporting female youths' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). By assessing the student’s interest in an area of STEM, they will create year-long mentoring partnerships between Valparaiso middle/high school female students and STEM industry professionals. The mentor will provide individual encouragement/ support/ guidance, share personal experience, and provide “inside” knowledge of the industry/ career/educational path to the student. The goal is two-fold: to give girls a chance to discover their potential in STEM and to see where it can take them; and to help stop the “brain drain” in Northwest Indiana by exposing the STEM opportunities here at home.
Discoveries Unlimited is a new non-profit organization, based in Valparaiso. Their mentoring program will commence in January of 2010 with a semester long pilot program focused on 6th grade female students from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools who have an interest in a STEM field. The mentor/student team will engage in weekly interaction focused on career and educational mentoring and will also participate in a variety of activities including, but not limited to, company tours, job shadowing, attending science/technology events or industry networking meetings, participating in team service projects, and college visits.
It is well-known that the 21st century workforce needs highly skilled professionals in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Yet students, especially young women, often do not follow these career paths. The image of STEM careers, a lack of confidence in math/science ability, and a lack of knowledge about the real-world applications of STEM fields all contribute to the under-representation of women in STEM careers. A girl can have a desire to become a Scientist, but if she doesn't have a clear understanding of the scope of opportunity within that field, how to reach her goals (or even that she CAN reach them), her desire will remain diminished or non-existent. Mentors have the ability to directly impact someone’s life by supporting dreams and ambitions and opening doors to possibilities the student had not considered. Mentors have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy to their work, industry, and community because they mentored a child.
Discoveries Unlimited Board Chair, Dr. Dennis Trinkle stated "Once in a great while an opportunity comes along to make a special difference, to help create something special. Discoveries Unlimited is one of those special opportunities. It is a right idea, at a right time, that addresses a great need."
To obtain more information about mentoring or how to partner with Discoveries Unlimited, please call Cathie Dull at 219-508-5606, visit our website at www.discoveriesunlimited.org or contact us at discoveriesunlimited@gmail.com