Young Women Exploring Stem Careers at Ohio Supercomputer Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 22, 2019 — A dozen Ohio middle-school girls are spending part of their summer at the Ohio Supercomputer Center’s (OSC) 19th annual Young Women’s Summer Institute (YWSI), July 14-20 at The Ohio State University.

YWSI participants investigate complex science problems while discovering career opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

The weeklong camp provides middle school girls with real-world experience in STEM fields. Students get hands-on experience working on scientific problems while developing their science, math, and engineering skills.

“The reason I think this program is so effective is it gives girls who may be just starting to question their math and science skills many examples of female scientists and a chance to engage in a scientific project where they are the inquirers,” said Katharine Cahill, Ph.D., OSC education and training specialist and YWSI co-director.

YWSI students take field trips focused on science and engineering, as well as complete group projects that include studying the effects of humans on wildlife, learning about the hydrologic cycle, and measuring water quality. The students gain first-hand experience by visiting various watersheds in central Ohio, as well as touring the nearby Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center. The students also gain a taste of campus life by living in dorms throughout the weeklong camp.

Claire Shah, a YWSI residential adviser, sees several benefits of YWSI for its participants each year.

“It is incredible to watch these young women so excited and curious about STEM topics and careers,” said Shah, a graduate student studying human factors psychology at Wright State University. “YWSI gives them hands-on experience in different STEM fields, the opportunity to ask questions of women who are currently in STEM careers, and learn with other like-minded young women throughout their group projects. The program gives them invaluable experience and shows them the path forward to a rewarding future in STEM.”

OSC provides additional education programs for STEM enrichment through the Summer Institute, designed for high school-aged students to engage in scientific research while working with some of the nation’s best technology experts.

The following identifies the students selected for YWSI. The list is arranged alphabetically by last name and identifies each student’s high school.