Memphis middle school girls explore careers in STEM

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Dozens of eighth-grade girls from Memphis-Shelby County Schools got the chance to expand their horizons in STEM on Friday.

The American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red for Women Movement connected the students with female science, technology, engineering, and math leaders at the University of Memphis.

The groups of girls had the opportunity to participate in hands-on STEM activities and learn in interactive breakout sessions.

Dr. Amy Curry, Associate Professor of the Biomedical Engineering Department and an American Heart Association Volunteer, said it’s important to empower girls at a young age, as women in STEM careers are significantly underrepresented.

“Studies have shown that at the middle school age is when we start to lose interest in their interest in science and math and those kinds of fields of study so we want to keep them interested, give them a reason to keep pursuing science and math as they progress through high school and then choose a college career,” said Dr. Amy Curry, American Heart Association Volunteer.

Students got a chance to construct an artificial model heart out of clay and plastic materials.

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