Conference encourages young women to explore scientific and technical careers

ARGONNE, Ill. (Feb. 27, 2003) — The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory will host the 16th annual Science Careers in Search of Women conference, Thursday, March 13.

Students from more than 45 schools throughout the Chicago area will participate in the conference. Among the activities scheduled are a keynote speech by Argonne Deputy Director Beverly Hartline as well as panel discussions with researchers from Argonne and other institutions. At lunchtime, students will be grouped by their area of interest and have lunch with a woman scientist in that field, providing an opportunity for more informal one-on-one conversation.

In the afternoon, students will have a choice of 12 different laboratory tours including biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer science, mechanical engineering, physics and the Advanced Photon Source.

"Women continue to be underrepresented in science and technology," said Argonne researcher Kirsten Laurin-Kovitz, chairperson of this year's conference. "Science Careers in Search of Women was conceived to reach out and engage high school students and encourage them to consider careers in science and technology."

The conference is sponsored by Argonne, Argonne's Office of the Director, Division of Educational Programs and Women in Science and Technology program.

Participating high schools are:

1. Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, Palos Hills
2. Aurora Central Catholic High School, Aurora
3. Benito Juarez Community Academy, Chicago
4. Bolingbrook High School, Bolingbrook
5. Buffalo Grove High School, Buffalo Grove
6. Chicago Christian High School, Palos Heights
7. Crystal Lake South High School, Crystal Lake
8. De La Salle Institute, Chicago
9. Downers Grove North High School, Downers Grove
10. Downers Grove South High School, Downers Grove
11. Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, Chicago
12. Edwin G. Foreman High School, Chicago
13. Elmwood Park High School, Elmwood Park
14. Fieldcrest CUSD #6, Minonk
15. Flower Career Academy High School, Chicago
16. Glenbard North High School, Carol Stream
17. Glenbard West High School, Glen Ellyn
18. Glenbrook South High School, Glenview
19. Highland Park High School, Highland Park
20. Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale
21. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora
22. James B. Conant High School, Hoffman Estates
23. Lake Park High School, Roselle
24. Lemont High School, Lemont
25. Lyons Township High School, Western Springs
26. Maine South High School, Park Ridge
27. Morgan Park High School, Chicago
28. Naperville Central High School, Naperville
29. Naperville North High School, Naperville
30. Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville
31. Oak Park River Forest High School, Oak Park
32. Palatine High School, Palatine
33. Plainfield High School, Plainfield
34. Prospect High School, Mt. Prospect
35. Providence Catholic High School, New Lenox
36. Providence-St. Mel High School, Chicago
37. Resurrection High School, Chicago
38. Richmond Burton Community High School, Richmond
39. Schurz High School Chicago, St. Charles
40. North High School, St. Charles
41. St. Francis de Sales High School, Chicago
42. St. Ignatius College Prep High School, Chicago
43. Steinmetz Academic Centre, Chicago
44. Thornton Fractional South High School, Lansing
45. University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Chicago
46. Walter Payton College Prep, Chicago
47. Wheaton Warrenville High School, Wheaton
48. Willowbrook High School Willowbrook

The nation’s first national laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory conducts basic and applied scientific research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, ranging from high-energy physics to climatology and biotechnology. Since 1990, Argonne has worked with more than 600 companies and numerous federal agencies and other organizations to help advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for the future. Argonne is operated by the University of Chicago as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratory system.

For more information, please contact Steve McGregor (630/252-5580 or media@anl.gov) at Argonne.