The Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) Initiative is part of the Science Center’s broader commitment to supporting women and girls in STEAM – the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The WISE Initiative is dedicated to creating a supportive community of women employed in STEAM fields and encouraging girls who aspire to follow a STEAM career path.
These leaders also bring passion, insight, expertise and resources to advise Da Vinci Science Center strategies for developing girls’ interest and achievement in STEAM.
The WISE Initiative continues to evolve in response to data gathered from its research study titled Building a Community Ecosystem to Support Women in Science and Engineering. The study was funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
WISE programs and events include: Network events for professionals, Women in STEM Career Connection Days, STEAM Girls! Robotics; Girl Scouts Day; and WISE Family Night.
The WISE Forum is back in-person with a Networking & Mentoring Reception for high school girls to connect with female STEAM professionals and a public panel discussion where four distinguished women in STEAM will share their perspectives on working in STEAM fields and the opportunities and challenges women face when pursuing a career in male-dominated fields.
Women in Science & Engineering Career Connection Field Trip Days showcase STEM careers for women and girls.
Science Clubs at Da Vinci Science Center are all about having the most fun with science! Each meeting, participants will explore different sciences, tinker with modern technology, and build new skills that will help them navigate life in the 21st century.
Scouts earn badges, patches, pins, other scouting awards, or exclusive Da Vinci Science Center patches and badges.
The Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) Network consists of current and aspiring STEM professionals seeking opportunities to network and support each other. The Da Vinci Science Center hosts regular networking and professional development events for this group.
With the support of a two-year grant from IMLS entitled “Building a Community Ecosystem to Support Women in Science and Engineering,” the Da Vinci Science Center is partnering with area colleges, universities, community organizations, and YOU, to identify how the community can develop programs and services that address the needs of area women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields.
The WISE Initiative is overseen by an Advisory Council made up of female representatives from area STEM corporations, colleges and universities, and organizations serving women and girls.
Co-Chairs
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Joy Karnas, Ph.D. | Professor of Biological Science & Genetic Engineering, Director of the Honors Program, Cedar Crest College |
| Jean Vincent, Ph.D. | Sr. Vice President, R&D Specialty Additives, Research, Development & Innovation, Evonik Corporation |
Members
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Jennifer Allenbach | Chief Mission Delivery Officer, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania |
| Erin Armstrong | Associate Director, Sterilization, B. Braun Medical Inc (past co-chair) |
| Mary Armstrong, Ph.D. | Charles A. Dana Professor of Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies and English Chair, Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program, Lafayette College |
| Fusun Bubernack | President, ET&T; Voice, Data, MSP, & Security Services Expert |
| Lin Erickson | Executive Director and CEO, Da Vinci Science Center |
| Stephanie Hnatiw | Owner, Interim Executive Director and Fund Development Services |
| Kristen Jellison, Ph.D. | Director, ADVANCE Center for Women STEM Faculty and Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University |
| Jodi Koch | VP, Patient Care Services, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest |
| Tamala Mallett Moore, MD, MBA, ABFP | Therapeutic Area Head Vaccines /Flu, Meninge and Pneumo, Innovative, Nosocomial and COVID19/Global PV & PE, Sanofi Pasteur |
| Darlene Pors | Special Projects Design Associate, H.T. Lyons |
| Rajika Reed, Ph.D., MPH, M.Ed. | VP, Community Health, St. Luke’s University Health Network |
| Kelly Rindock | VP, Wealth Management, Steel Valley Investment Group, Raymond James & Associates, Inc. |
| Susan Schierwagen | VP, Product Development, Victaulic |
| Katy Worrilow, Ph.D. | Founder and CEO, LifeAire Systems, LLC and Adjunct Professor, Penn State Univ Lehigh Valley (past co-chair) |
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