Contributed Photo/Courtesy EAC: EAC’s third annual Girls Only Science Day-Camp hosted 30 seventh- through ninth-grade girls.
By Paul Anger
THATCHER — Eastern Arizona College (EAC) and the Eastern Arizona Science Initiative (EASI) held its third annual “Girls Only” Science Day-Camp last month, hosting seventh- through ninth-grade girls from Graham and Greenlee counties to engage in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) activities.
The 30 attendees received career information during four sessions from female instructors with a variety of professional backgrounds and experiences. The day started at EAC’s “Fab Lab” with Kay Ellett, EAC Technology representative, where the girls observed the operation of a 3D printer. They also experimented with the new laser engraver and vinyl cutter to create personalized wooden nametags.
The activities continued into the EAC Nursing Building where Carolyn McCormies, EAC nursing director, and several nursing students taught the girls about careers in nursing. They participated in hands-on phlebotomy by inserting I.V. needles into a mannequin arm, learned how to prepare a finger cast, and went over the basics of first aid, the Heimlich Maneuver, and CPR.
After lunch at the Discovery Park Ranch House, Shannon Sohlden and Ellie Somerville, metallurgists from Freeport McMoRan, shared a lesson on mining principles and played a game to describe the production goals and challenges of locating minerals in ore.
The final lesson on photography by Jessica Flowers, from Jessica Flowers Photography, helped the girls understand the principles of the “rule of thirds” and how to “drive the eyes.” The students took photographs with their phones and digital cameras and received immediate feedback and suggestions on how to improve them.
The goal of the “Girls Only” STEAM Day-Camp is to provide girls throughout eastern Arizona the opportunity to meet, work with, and learn from professionals involved in STEAM careers.
EASI is a group of teachers and professionals who have come together to improve science education and offer extracurricular STEM activities for students with an interest in the sciences. If you are interested in participating in any of the EASI activities and events contact Paul Anger, chair of EASI, at paul.anger@eac.edu.
