ROME — The Project Fibonacci Foundation will host a Women & STEAM Symposium, a one-day event that will take place at the Beeches Manor, 7900 Turin St., on Thursday, March 7.
With a focus on empowering young minds, the symposium will bring together over 125 students from local school districts to explore the intersections of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), the arts, and entrepreneurship for building career pathways.
The event, sponsored by the New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC), will highlight accomplished women in business, education, medicine, philanthropy, politics, science and technology, offering multiple perspectives on their journeys to success.
“The response from schools, local business owners and leaders in our community has been incredible. There is clearly a need for more women-focused events in our area to help inspire young girls to break the gender barrier that is present in STEM fields today,” said symposium co-organizer Amy Jaworski.
Scheduled activities include icebreakers, an interactive panel discussion, and a Creating Connections Fair where students and teachers can discover a wide range of academic and professional STEM+Arts opportunities available in our area.
The event has garnered considerable support from local companies, with more than 15 table sponsors on board to share their insights and experiences as female business owners, executive leaders, and STEM experts. Table sponsors include AIS, ANDRO Computational Solutions, AndroMeta, Birch Wealth Management, Cathedral Corp., C&D Advertising, C&S Companies, D’Arcangelo & Partners, Edible Arrangements, Indium Corp., International Wire Co., Orgill, Smart Carrier, Stewarts Shops, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Varflex, Wolfspeed, plus supporting sponsor The Beeches Manor, and in-kind donors 360 Moment for Life, Athena Club, Blue Q, and The Perfect Measuring Tape Co.
The symposium organizers are Tamalin Martin, Michelle Minicozzi, Pam Mandryck, Jaworski and Jessica Griffin.
The interactive panel, moderated by WSYR Channel 9-Syracuse Meteorologist Kate Thornton, will consist of:
- Alicia Dicks, president/CEO, Community Foundation;
- Jasminka Husic, CFO and director of finance and business intelligence, NYSTEC;
- Della Pray, Air Force (Ret.) and educator, Rome City School District;
- Heather Hage, president/CEO, Griffiss Institute;
- Kate Rolf, president/CEO, Nascentia Health;
- Jenn Brillante, president and partner, C&D Advertising;
- Marianne Buttenschon, assemblymember;
- Mary Jo Post, technical director, Upstate Medical Center Cardiovascular Group/ Nuclear Testing; and
- Aarthi Sekaran, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
During the Lunch and Learn portion of the day, students will interact with representatives from local business and technology sectors to answer questions and share their experiences, including Barbara Welch, president/CEO of AndroMeta of Rome, a certified New York State Minority Woman Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) that specializes in drone technology education for area schools.
Additionally, the Creating Connections Fair features over 15 local businesses, academic institutes and programs in our area, including On Point for College that will provide information about their education and career services.
Registration is currently at maximum capacity. A wait list has been established in the event of cancellations or changes. Due to the event’s popularity, the Project Fibonacci Foundation is planning a multi-day series for 2025 to expand the program to accommodate higher capacity attendance by students, educators, and business leaders.
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