Westfield Public Schools
presents
You Can Be Anything

Click this banner for photos from the February 7th 2009 event!
An Exploration of Careers in Science and Technology for Middle School Girls

~ Introduction ~

You Can Be Anything is a half-day hands-on workshop, presented in early February, that introduces middle school girls to careers and career pathways in Science and Technology.

This Westfield Public Schools event is run by teachers, students, guidance counselors, and administrators from Westfield High School and Westfield Vocational Technical High School.

~ Workshops ~

7th and 8th grade girls participate in activities like:
  • making a DNA necklace
  • riding a homemade hover-craft
  • lifting fingerprints from a glass
  • repairing a broken PC
  • manufacturing dice
  • identifying plant pests
  • building a CD rack
  • repairing a flat tire
Girls learn about careers available to them in science and technology.

Parents attend workshops where they learn ways to support their daughter's career goals. Parent workshop topics include:

  • career planning tools on the Internet
  • navigating high school and college
  • challenges working women face

~ Event Information and Sign-up ~

For more information about the You Can Be Anything event contact the guidance department at one of these schools:
  • North Middle School
  • South Middle School
  • Westfield Vocational Technical High School
or contact Kit Milligan, Director of Guidance for Westfield Public Schools [phone: 572-6475]

An information packet and sign-up form is mailed home to the parents of every 7th and 8th grade girl in Westfield Middle School North and South in mid-January. Sign-up forms should be completed and returned to your daughter's guidance counselor.

Click here for the 2009 Registration Form
Click here for the 2009 workshop descriptions

Sandy Lajewski, a Mechanical Engineer at UTC Fuel Cells, gave the 2008 keynote address
Westfield High School Science teacher Donna McKay leads a Forensic Science workshop
Carpentry teacher Brian Falcetti shows how to use the bandsaw
These girls may not have licenses yet, but they know about fixing a flat, and auto industry careers Instructor Jen Werner conducts a horticulture science workshopWHS Science teacher Kate Pawul discuss DNA in her biotechnology workshop
Parent workshops provide valuable information for helping their daughters with career choicesInformation Technology careers are fun and rewardingClem Fucci discusses careers in engineering and manufacturing
A hovercraft demonstrates Physics in WHS Science teacher Renee Sweeney's workshopRob Ollari shows parents how to use the Internet for career planningStudents in the awesome Culinary Arts department at WVTHS provided lunch for all


Links just for Girls interested in Science and Technology
There are many resources available on the web just for Middle School girls interested in Science and Technology. The links below will take you to some of these websites.
BrainCake is an organization sponsored by the Carnegie Science Center whose mission is to help girls aged 11-17 be confident, solve problems and think independently.
The Adventures of Josie True. This interactive science and technology game is a project of the National Science Foundation.
I Was Wondering: A curious look at Women's Adventures in Science, introduces Middle School girls to Women in Science, and encourages science exploration. Sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences
Engineer Girl a website sponsored by the National Academy of Engineering is just for Middle School Girls to learn about the engineering field and the courses to take in High School
WhyVille is a virtual world for boys and girls around the globe. Build and sponsored by NASA, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and others. This site is an award winner with parents, teachers and kids.
Explore with Zoey the world of Math, Science and Technology in a creative interactive environment called Zoey's Room. A website designed for girls between 10 and 14.
A Canadian website dedicated to encouraging women to enter careers in science and technology that are traditionally held by men. Career Choices profiles 39 women in careers ranging from Aquaculture to Wood Products.