Knoch girls honored for outstanding skills
BUTLER TWP — Sixth and seventh grade girls learned Tuesday night that great engineers are made, not born, when they were honored for their outstanding classwork in math, science and computer technology.
Knoch Middle School Recognition Night at Butler County Community College was co-sponsored by the South Butler School District, the Female Alliance for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Excellence, the American Association of University Women, the Penn State Electro-Optics Center and BC3.
“Middle school is a time when girls need a boost to succeed in math and science,” said Dale Lumley, South Butler superintendent. “We need the best and the brightest to pursue their passion for math and science.”
South Butler teachers identified 43 girls who did outstanding classwork to be invited to the event, which 28 attended.
“Why are there so few women in STEM?” asked Barb Wheatall, AAUW-western district coordinator.
An AAUW study showed that one problem is a lack of role models. Tuesday, a panel of women shared their experiences in STEM.
n Nelda Burd is an industrial engineer and once ran a $120 million circuit-breaker business for Westinghouse. She is president of the South Butler School Board.
“Spend a few hours on math competitions, at science fairs or at camps,” she told the girls.
n Stephanie Thompson is an industrial engineer at Curtiss Wright EMD. She helps to build 22-foot-high nuclear reactor coolant pumps. She said engineers are well thought of in the workplace.
“They're seen as problem-solvers; people who can think on their feet,” she said.
n Ashley Keith is about to graduate with a master's degree in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, with a focus on information security.
“My first semester at CMU was the hardest of my life,” said Keith, who had always been at the top of her class. “But it was empowering to feel truly challenged and to overcome it.”
n Hanan Hibshi of Saudi Arabia also is a CMU master's candidate in computer science and plans to get her doctorate.
Growing up, she was told that “the girl who chooses science will not have a life.” But she is proving her critics wrong, excelling in science and happily married with two children.
“Women are multitaskers,” she said.
n Laura Wheatall has a master's degree in biology from Indiana (Pa.) University. She works as an analytical chemist at Environmental Services Laboratories, testing water quality. The service is in high demand since Marcellus Shale drilling began.
“As an undergraduate I minored in chemistry,” Wheatall said.
Following in their footsteps, Knoch senior Shannon Evanchec was awarded a $500 college scholarship from the district to pursue STEM studies.
Evanchec plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and to major in environmental engineering.
She hopes to work on water purification projects in Africa.
FASE is an alliance of business, education and community representatives including Lori Harvey, who runs education and outreach for Penn State's Electro-Optics Center, Freeport.
She said the EOC is a hub of multiple STEM projects and initiatives, and might partner with other interested schools to create similar events.
