Science Field Trip

Six Students See Science in their Futures

Burbank, IL – April 28, 2008 – On April 3, six Queen of Peace sophomores journeyed in search of careers in science during Argonne National Laboratory’s 21st-annual Science Careers in Search of Women Day. Over 350 students from 59 Chicago-area high schools attended Argonne’s full-day event. The purpose of the trip, according to Peace physics and digital engineering teacher, Karen Amador, was to focus these young high school women on the possibility of pursuing a career in the fields of science and technology.

Argonne National Laboratory is one of the U.S. government’s oldest and largest science and engineering research laboratories - the largest in the Midwest. According to the Argonne website, www.anl.gov, research shows that young women lose interest in scientific and technical subjects and careers long before they enter college.

The Science Careers in Search of Women Conference engages high school women in exploring careers in science and technology. During the event, panelists from a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines provided students with information on employment trends, skills and education requirements for particular fields. Students also were able to meet with the panelists to learn firsthand about life’s rewards for women in science.

Kawtar Hafidi from the Physics Division of Argonne served as the keynote speaker for the day. According to Amador, Hafidi discussed her roles as wife, mother and nuclear physicist. “She told how her father was disappointed that his firstborn was a girl, how she learned to read, went to university in Morocco, then came to do research in the United States.”

“I though the keynote speaker was amazing. I could really relate to her being a Muslim, and having an Arab background. She taught me that no matter who you are, or what background you come from, you can be anything,” stated Rana Abdellatif.

On tours of the Argonne facility, students saw the supercomputer called the IBM Blue Gene/P system, which scientists from all over the world submit jobs to because of its tremendous computing power. Its power is equal to 150,000 desktop computers.

Students and teachers were exposed to research in chemistry, biosciences, physics, computer science, nuclear engineering, and recycling during the trip. Visitors also learned about future research on computer storage, cleaning lead contaminated soil, more accurate weather prediction, particle acceleration, and cadmium’s effect on bones.

“At Argonne National Laboratory’s 21st-annual Science Careers in Search of Women Day, I learned that scientists are needed in every field and there is a place for women in science. I learned that engineering is an important part of our society,” stated Sara Majewski.

Queen of Peace High School is committed to providing educational and career-based opportunities for its students. During the 2007-08 school year, Peace initiated its 1:1 laptop program, launched the pre-engineering program The Infinity Project, and started the Women in Science and Engineering Alum Association. In conjunction, these activities provide women of Peace with the opportunities to explore new interests, become part of a dynamic and evolving world, and investigate the possibility of careers in science, technology, and math-related fields.

###