Monticello eighth-grade girls take part in ‘Women in STEM’

     Ten eighth-grade girls from Monticello Middle School were lucky to have the chance to take part in a special event held in Cedar Rapids.

     On April 14, Collins Aerospace held “Women in STEM” (science, technology, engineering, math) at the Cedar Rapids library.

     Middle School Dean of Students and Instructional Coach Callie Smith first took eighth-grade girls to the Collins’ event in early 2020 before COVID hit hard. At that time, just five girls were permitting to go. This time, MMS was allowed to fill 20 slots.

     “Last year it was held virtually,” Smith said, due to the pandemic.

     This year, the girls were able to take part in the full hands-on experience.

     Monticello is the only school district outside of the Cedar Rapids area that takes part in Women in STEM. Smith credits a former Monticello student who works at Collins Aerospace.

     “She helps to organize the event and we’re lucky enough to connect with her,” she said.

     In order to choose who gets to attend the day-long event, Smith works with the eighth-grade teachers and has the girls to write an essay about why they’re interested in attending and why they want to learn more about a career in engineering.

     “We want girls who will interact and participate,” Smith said.

     Parent permission is also needed.

     In the end, the 10 girls chosen were: Kiara Mysak, Madison Lange, Vanessa Clapp, Samara Olivarez, Marlee Gassman, Paige Rickels, Macy Dusanek, Ashlynn Coohey, Destiny Wall, and Bonnie Tran.

     Tran shared that for her essay, she wrote about the fun opportunities Women in STEM would provide in learning about engineering.

     Lange said she wanted to enjoy an opportunity she wouldn’t necessarily get in Monticello. Her dad also happens to be an engineer at Collins Aerospace.

     “I thought this would be a good opportunity guys get to do,” said Olivarez of her essay.

     The group was placed with a female engineer at Collins Aerospace who served as their mentor for the day.

     “It’s about promoting women in leadership and women in STEM fields and career paths,” explained Smith.

     One of the big missions of the day was a simulation team-building project where the girls had to work together to build a prosthetic hand. Each girl was given a role on the team such as “team leader.” Smith explained they used a scrum board (a visual way to organize a project) to determine who would complete each task in putting together the prosthetic hand.

     “They only had an hour to do it,” she said.

     In the end, the hand will be sent to a third-world country and given to someone in need.

     “It was pretty cool that we were making something for someone in need,” commented Olivarez.

     “I liked it,” added Lange of the simulation. “Not many people can make stuff for people in need.”

     Olivarez said the whole experience gave her ideas as far as a future career and what classes she’ll need to take once she’s in high school next year.

     “It made me more aware about engineering and about logistics,” said Tran.

     “It taught you about teamwork,” said Lange.

     “And to work with people in your surroundings,” added Olivarez.

     The group of 10 also learned which of them were visual learners and which were physical learners. Having been divided into two different groups, Tran felt both types of learners worked well together.

     The girls also heard from various speakers throughout the day and were inspired by their messages.

     “In their future,” said Smith, “these girls can do whatever they wish to do as far as a career path. It just takes hard work and determination.”