Washburn University Biology Department Will Host 15th Women in Science Day Oct. 16; Registration is Open Now Until Sept. 28

      Topeka, Kan. - The Washburn University biology department will host the 15th annual Women in Science Day for girls grades six through eight 8:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16. Women in Science Day is free for students in these grades. Students can still register as a group or individually until Sept. 28. To register or for more information email womeninscience@washburn.edu.

      “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,” said Dr. Susan Bjerke, associate professor of biology at Washburn University.  “The event is designed to demonstrate the practical applications in everyday life of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

      During 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, 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 Rooms A and B in the Memorial Union. This year's featured speaker is Holly O’Neill, associate professor and director of forensic chemical science at Washburn.

-30-

      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.