‘Girls can be scientists too,’ South Dakota Mines' conference shows positive STEM role models

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Albert Einstein’s name corresponds with scientific genius, but history oftentimes overlooks the women who played a role in advancing science; That’s why events such as the South Dakota Mines Women in Science Conference are so important.

“Specifically women are underrepresented in a lot of our STEM fields so we’re just giving them a space to see not only positive role models but also all the different careers that they could potentially have,” Youth & Science Rapid City’s President Amy DiRienzo said.

The South Dakota Mines Women in Science Conference gives every seventh-grade girl in KOTA Territory a fun opportunity to learn about careers in STEM.

“Every area of science you can think of, engineering, health care, physics, chemistry, we have representation from all of them here today,” DiRienzo continued.

DiRienzo is a prime example of how events like this can have a positive impact.

“I decided that I wanted to be an engineer in fourth grade after an experience like this so it’s so important for me to see these women giving back and inspiring that next generation,” DiRienzo said.

“Girls can be scientists too, and they have the opportunity to do all this,” seventh-grader Aubree said.

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