Luncheon intended to heighten awareness of pre-college program

Benedict Bahner
ASME News Online

ASME and Con Edison, partners in the "Class Is In" initiative to encourage academically prepared female high school students to pursue careers in engineering, are holding an informational luncheon this month in the hope of attracting new sponsors and expanding the program throughout the United States.

Approximately 70 people — representatives from New York-area high schools and universities as well as potential corporate sponsors and other engineering societies — were invited to the luncheon, which will take place on April 25 at Con Edison's headquarters at 4 Irving Place.

One of the "Class is In" events held last year at Brooklyn Technical High School in New York.

"Class Is In — Bringing Girls Into Engineering," sponsored by ASME, Con Edison, and the Brooklyn Technical High School Alumni Association, aims to increase awareness of the opportunities for girls in engineering through interactive assemblies of professional women engineers and high school girls. The program provides opportunities to connect with mentors and a support network for female high school students interested in engineering, as well as inspiring young girls who may be unaware of the opportunities that exist in engineering. The pilot program at Brooklyn Tech is co-sponsored by Con Edison, the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Association, and ASME.

So far, the program has resulted in two hands-on learning events at Brooklyn Tech for female students at the school who were interested in and prepared for pursuing an engineering major at the university level. The point of the luncheon is to get professionals from other geographical areas in the United States interested in the program, explained Marina Stenos, manager, ASME Public Awareness.

"It's not just a once- or twice-a-year program for New York students," Stenos said. "It's an ongoing initiative. We want to roll it out across the country, so we're looking for other organizations to partner with us — as well as participation from ASME sections — to bring the program to academically prepared young women in high schools throughout the country."

Speaking at the April luncheon will be ASME member Jill Anderson from Con Edison, who will discuss her involvement in "Class Is In" during the past year, and Katherine Boden, vice president of Manhattan electric operations at Con Edison. Gary Benenson, a professor at the City College of New York and an ASME member, will discuss the critical need for STEM education.

In addition, some of the students who have participated in the Brooklyn Tech "Class is In" events will talk about their experiences as students studying science and technology, and what they've gotten out of "Class Is In."

To learn more about the "Class Is In" program, contact Marina Stenos at (212) 591-8614 or stenosm@asme.org.

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