What is your superpower? This was a question posed to attendees at the Global Women in STEM Conference, where Athens Academy students and teachers answered with words like “focus, compassion, or collaborative.”
Dr. Memler and Dr. Scott, both science teachers, brought a group of students to the Global Women in STEM Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where the conference’s goal is “to build capacity, to nurture talent, to create community, and to empower women and girls in scientific and technological fields to reach their full potential and thrive in male-dominated fields.” Emilee Stortz, Janie O’Neill, Marie Rutledge, Siena Avolio, and Nina Rutledge heard from female scientists around the world. The conference exposed students to life-changing lessons and career advice for years to come.
At the end of interim week, the Athens Academy students and faculty drove up the trip to Atlanta, Georgia to begin the two day conference. The two days consisted of breakout rooms, where women spoke about experiences from their career with a smaller group of listeners. Dr. Scott, the head of the Athens Academy science department, spoke at a breakout session, answering questions about “building personal and organizational resilience.” Conversely, presentations in the main ballroom were given to the entire audience. Ranging from defense weaponry engineers to nuclear national laboratory managers, their stories resonated with listeners of all ages. Both Dr. Scott and Nina Rutledge, Athens Academy senior, were given the opportunity to prepare presentations for the main ballroom: Dr. Scott recounting the “lessons learned” from her career and Nina presenting her “superpower” to the audience.
Reflecting on her time at the conference, Dr. Scott shares, “I feel energized by the brilliant minds I encountered and the important discussions we had about the future of women in STEM.”
Though this was only the second year an Athens Academy group attended the conference, the conference attendees welcomed students and faculty with open arms. Students made connections with the future female innovators and leaders of the STEM world. Especially for current Athens Academy seniors and rising freshman in college, the exposure to a variety of career options makes the next step in life seem less daunting. On top of the reassurance provided by the conference, it empowered students to advocate for themselves, stay curious, and look out for one another.
Marie Rutledge, a Athens Academy senior and conference attendee, noted, “Despite being much younger than many of the people there, I felt included and truly empowered by my experience. I hope they can continue this trip because these were life long lessons.”