Ohio State Lima Campus welcomed a full house of young ladies on Monday to begin introducing them to different career fields.
The fifth annual STEM Steps program hosted 125 sophomore and junior girls from the surrounding area high schools. The program introduces or further expand their knowledge of the science technology engineering and mathematics careers.
"Right now is when they tend to look at college applications, what careers they have to pursue," said Dr. Swathi Mohan, chemistry professor at Ohio State. "It’s always good to give them options compared to traditional fields that are out there."
And options they were given plenty of. The students first heard from a local family medicine doctor. They learned about the medical field as well as steps to take be more professional. After that, each was introduced to a different subject. They went through activities in biology, chemistry, computer science and earth science.
"I think maybe computer engineering, but I’m not really sure," Ta'Tiana Gosten said, a junior at Lima Senior High School. "I might do another type of engineering, I’m not really sure what each one is about yet. So going to things like this helps me figure out what more i want to do."
Gosten is a student already interested in STEM and is now focusing on narrowing her path. She already participates in the girls who code program and has participated in STEM Steps last year.
"It shows them that there are opportunities for women to be into (STEM) in Lima," said Gosten. "Because many people think you have to go out of state to become an engineer. This helps you realize there are many people in Lima who are doing jobs like that.'
Mohan said the program aims at showing the young ladies they can choose a STEM career and still make an impact, while on their own path.
"Our goal is for them to keep moving forward," said Mohan. "Whether it might be in an industrial setting, or an academic setting, or convert them to entrepreneurs. Our goal is to empower them and that’s where it all started."
