Imagination Station: Girl Power event inspires young women to pursue STEM careers

        Imagination Station will inspire area girls to consider joining the next generation of engineers, researchers, inventors and pioneers in an exciting day set aside just for them. The science center’s annual Girl Power! – presented by BP – will be held Saturday, Feb. 8.
        Since 2014, Imagination Station has hosted this day of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) career exploration. Girl Power! offers girls in grades three through eight the opportunity to meet local professionals and learn more about available careers in STEM fields.
        “Data shows that women are severely underrepresented in the sciences,” said Sloan Eberly Mann, education director at Imagination Station. “Girl Power gives girls the opportunity to meet female STEM professionals from our area who will motivate them to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.”
        Attendees will hear from an inspiring keynote speaker, participate in STEM experiments during morning workshops, attend an engaging question-and-answer session with a panel of STEM professionals, watch an extreme science demonstration, participate in hands-on activities and explore the science center.
        This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, PhD, PE, electrical engineer and professor at The University of Toledo. Dr. Mubenga’s research areas include battery management systems, electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. She is the founder of the STEM DRC Initiative, a nonprofit organization that aims to encourage STEM in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
        She is also the founder and CEO of SMIN Power Group, a solar developer with offices in the United States and Democratic Republic of the Congo.  She was awarded the Africa’s Most Influential Women Award in Engineering and Manufacturing by CEO Magazine.
        Registration is $20 for Imagination Station member participants and $10 for member chaperones. Non-member participant registration is $25 and $15 for non-member chaperones. At least one chaperone must join a participant, and one chaperone may accompany up to seven attendees.
        While the morning activities are closed to registered participants only, the afternoon activity stations are open to all Imagination Station visitors. The science center is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and the hands-on activities provided by the STEM professionals are available 1-5 p.m.
        Girl Power! is made possible thanks to Imagination Station’s supporters including: Presenting: BP; Innovator: Comfort Line FiberFrame, O-I and Wish Foundation; Pioneer: SSOE Group; Catalyst: Buckeye BroadBand and Columbia Gas; Explorer: Directions Credit Union, Lathrop, OmniSource, Savage and Toledo Refining Company and Supporter: Dana, Inc.
        For more information, call 419-244-2674 or visit www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/GirlPower.