Program creates opportunities for young women in science

There may be fewer women in math and science fields here at the UW, but the Women's Center in Cunningham Hall is trying to change that fact.

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Feb. 27

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Lander Hall, L-132

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6:30-7:30 p.m.

McMahon Hall, Pompeii Room

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March 2

Doors open at 7 p.m.,

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North Husky Den (HUB basement)

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HUB Gallery

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March 6

12-2 p.m.

Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room

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With the recruitment of 100 Seattle urban high-school students per year, the Making Connections program encourages youth to do well in high school, further their education after graduation and discover careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM fields).

Of these students, 95 percent are young women of color, 60 percent will be the first in their family to attend college and 50 percent are from single-parent families, most of which are headed by women.

Instead of being discouraged from science, these students are encouraged to participate in various activities to promote education in STEM fields.

College preparation sessions, mentors and career seminars help promote education and exploration.

Anab Hersi, a student at West Seattle High School, has been involved with the Making Connections Program since her freshman year.

"The opportunities given to us students are remarkable," Hersi said. "Meeting someone in college [who is] taking classes I may be taking one day isn't something that happens to students every day."

From hands-on workshops in fields like human genetics and microbiology to site visits at local college campuses and organizations around the community, students are exposed to the many different opportunities they may explore in the future.

In addition to mentoring, personal advising, educational forums and campus visits, extra help is available to high-school students from a tutor who comes to the Women's Center twice a week.

"We connect [the students] to resources at the UW and the community at large," said Senait Ogbe Habte, the program manager for Making Connections. "We try to provide whatever they are lacking or needing."

Habte visits with students at their high schools every month and offers personal advising, including answering questions about financial aid applications to one-on-one advising and counseling.

"Each person you meet in this program wants to help young students see there's more to school than the general education given to us," Habte said. "We see career choices and education choices."

In early February, students in the Making Connections program were encouraged to attend the 16th-annual Women in Science and Engineering Conference on campus.

On Feb. 3, a conference at Washington State University used workshops and speakers to empower youth to pursue higher education.

Another conference is scheduled at Western Washington University's campus in April to promote education.

Students in the Making Connections program visit the Women's Center frequently, bringing questions, homework and sometimes even their parents.

The environment is built to make them feel confident at Cunningham Hall and utilize the resources offered to them.

"It's such a nurturing environment here," Habte said. "We support them every step of the way."

Reach reporter Emily Sugiyama at news@thedaily.washington.edu.