Washburn University to Host Annual Women in Science Day Monday, Oct. 17

      Topeka, Kan. -Washburn University will host the Women in Science Day for seventh grade girls from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17. Women in Science Day is free for attending students.

      Approximately 275 seventh graders from 12 area schools are expected to attend this year's Women in Science Day. Students can choose from 19 different labs including isolating DNA from strawberries, making plastic out of milk, participating in an interactive study of stream ecology, looking at microbes from their mouths, building a miniature volcano, analyzing the contents of a garbage can, using programming codes to solve a puzzle, learning financial literacy or becoming a medical detective. Labs will be held across the Washburn University campus from 10:15 to 11:05 a.m. and from 12:25 to 1:15 p.m.

      Professional female scientists will conduct presentations in Washburn A and B in the Memorial Union. This year's featured speaker is Dr. Belinda Sturm, a professor from the University of Kansas who has a doctorate in civil engineering and geological sciences.

      “The event is designed to demonstrate the practical applications in everyday life of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Susan Bjerke, associate professor of biology at Washburn University. “Studies indicate girls perform as well as boys in math and science throughout elementary school, but begin to lose interest in such courses in junior high and high school.”

      The event is sponsored by Washburn University, including Chartwells Dining Services, the Washburn Memorial Union, the Washburn College of Arts and Sciences, the Ichabod Shop, the Biology Club and the Chemistry Club. Co-sponsors include Advisors Excel, U.S. Geological Survey, State of Kansas Water Office, Capitol Federal Savings Bank, National Weather Service, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Association for Women Geoscientists-Osage Chapter.

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      Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 6,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn’s programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees.  The programs are offered through Washburn’s six primary academic units – the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Applied Studies, the School of Business, the School of Nursing, the School of Law and the Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech)

      All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech’s campus on Topeka’s west side or in the east Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.

      Washburn is ranked best public regional university in Kansas and 14^th best public regional university by U.S. News and World Report 2022-2023.