(Sonoma County) Sonoma State’s School of Science and Technology on Monday will host “The Gender Gap in STEM,” an event that will include a panel discussion with local women leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and a screening of the award-winning film “Hidden Figures.”
Held in recognition of the United Nations' International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the event will include a panel discussion featuring women who are breaking barriers and paving the way for additional girls in STEM fields. The panel will include SSU faculty members Dr. Carmen Works, a professor of chemistry; Dr. Omayra Ortega, an assistant professor of mathematics and statistics; and Dr. Shubbhi Taneja, an assistant professor of computer science. It also will include Denia Candela, watershed outreach coordinator at the Sonoma Ecology Center, and Heather Chierici, one of Santa Rosa Junior College's managers for capital projects.
“Bringing light to the challenges and opportunities for girls and women in the STEM fields and helping lift and change the engagement of girls and women in STEM is important to the future of our region, nation and world,” said Lynn Stauffer, dean of the School of Science and Technology. “SSU and the School of Science and Technology is committed to these efforts including this partnership with the United Nations Association of Sonoma County to celebrate, discuss and move forward together on the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science.”
Following the panel discussion, the award-winning film “Hidden Figures” will be shown. Led by the star-studded cast of Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe, the production tells the story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
Held in partnership with the United Nations Association of Sonoma County and the Women in Tech Initiative, the event will take place on Monday, Feb. 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in room Darwin 103. Admission is free, but parking on campus is $5.
For additional information visit the United Nations Association of Sonoma County’s event page.
ABOUT US: With a student population of 9,300, Sonoma State is a regionally serving public university committed to educational access and excellence. Guided by our core values and driven by a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, Sonoma State delivers high-quality education through innovative programs that leverage the economic, cultural and natural resources of the North Bay. See more news from SSU at http://news.sonoma.edu/