Editor's note: This was originally posted on Idaho National Laboratory's website.

For the 12th year, Idaho National Laboratory will gather nearly 150 eighth-grade young women to see what their future could hold: potential careers in science, technology, engineering or math. These students will have the opportunity to interact with researchers, engineers and scientists at INL.

At a time when women are underrepresented in STEM professional fields, the program hopes to show girls how scientific and technical fields can provide exciting professional opportunities.

The event will give young women the chance to explore topics such as DNA extraction from a strawberry, cybersecurity, radioisotope thermoelectric generators, hands-on chemistry and more. The event will have 16 sessions for students and one educator workshop.

“One of the most important things we can do to encourage young women who are interested in STEM is to provide them with opportunities to speak with other successful women about their aspirations,” said Marianne Walck, INL deputy director for science and technology and chief research officer. “The annual My Amazing Future day at the laboratory is our opportunity to show young women that STEM subjects are interesting, exciting, and can build the foundation for a great career. I hope all the participants leave understanding that if you can dream it, you can do it—and that STEM is fun!”

The young women will hear from keynote speaker Vera Mulyani during lunch. Mulyani is the founder, CEO and executive director for Marschitecture of Mars City Design. She’s an author, architect, and award-winning filmmaker. Mulyani has master’s degrees in architecture and visual arts, and uses her multidisciplinary background and passion for storytelling to provide a fresh approach to STEM subjects.

Media are invited to watch as these young women learn, experiment, explore and discover the wide world that STEM careers can offer for their amazing futures.

When:                  Friday, Feb. 22

Where:                Call news media contacts 

Time:                    8:15 a.m. – Opening remarks

                                8:45 a.m. – Sessions begin

                                11:30 a.m. – Lunch, keynote speaker

This year, My Amazing Future is one of the events supported by Idaho National Laboratory and Battelle Energy Alliance in recognition of National Engineers Week, which will be celebrated across the U.S. from Feb. 17 through Feb. 23.

INL is one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national laboratories. The laboratory performs work in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and environment. INL is the nation’s leading center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.

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