FIRST® Women in Science and Technology Forum to be Held on November 7, 2014 in Manchester, NH

FIRST:

Who: More than 300 high-school aged girls from the New England region and surrounding states and 40+ female STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals will participate in this year’s FIRST® Women in Science and Technology (WIST) Forum. The young women will learn about college choices, careers, and opportunities in science and technology directly from successful women in STEM fields.

A keynote will be delivered by AnnMarie Thomas, Associate Professor of Engineering and Director of Playful Learning Lab and Center for Engineering Education at the University of St. Thomas.

Opening remarks will be delivered by FIRST President, Donald E. Bossi.

Other speakers and panelists include:

• Mary R. Albert Professor of Engineering, Dartmouth College; Executive Director, U.S. Ice Drilling Program Office
• Leah P. Carter Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
• Paula Long Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, DataGravity, Inc.
• Brindha Muniappan Director, Education and Public Programs, MIT Museum
• Nancy Brooks Phillips, CTFL Principal Quality Assurance Engineer, Workplace Investment Systems – Business Intelligence Quality Assurance, Fidelity Investments
• Jackie Richter-Menge Research Civil Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
• Stephanie A. Slezycki Mechanical Engineer, Electric Boat Corporation
• Jennifer Towle Pharmacy Resident, Elliot Hospital

What: Every other year since 2000, the FIRST WIST Forum (presented by FIRST Place and University of New Hampshire at Manchester) is offered to young women in high school as a unique networking and learning opportunity. Hundreds of girls – accompanied by their teachers – come to the FIRST WIST Forum to meet and hear from influential women in STEM, and to connect with like-minded peers.

Attendees will hear from speakers and panelists from a wide variety of STEM fields who will give presentations and reflect on their education, careers, field choices, work history, and what a high school student needs to know today for a rewarding future career in science and technology.

Where: Welcome and Keynote at FIRST Place: 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101.

All other sessions to take place at University of New Hampshire (UNH)at Manchester: 400 Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101. Room details and other information available here.

When: November 7, 2014 from 8:45 AM – 2:00 PM ET.

Photo Opp.: Speakers and panelists addressing audience of young women. Young women networking with peers. Young women meeting with speakers and panelists.

Interview Opp.: Please contact Haley Dunn to inquire about interview opportunities with speakers, panelists, student attendees, and/or FIRST President, Donald E. Bossi.

The FIRST WIST Forum is sponsored by New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium, Fidelity Investments, and the University of New Hampshire at Manchester.

For more information about the FIRST Women in Science and Technology (WIST) Forum: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/firstplace/first-women-in-science-and-technology-forum%20

For media inquiries, please contact Haley Dunn: hdunn@usfirst.org or call (603) 206-2494.

About FIRST®

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST®(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $20 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL® ) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.