Bay Path University

8 Bay Pathway Winter/Spring 2016 Massachusetts is deeply committed to life sciences and the state's biotechnology industries are strong, so it seems we're in the right place at the right time for combating the national STEM crisis. In fact, as indicated in this issue, Bay Path received a prestigious Massachusetts Life Science Center grant for $500,000 for the purchase of scientific equipment and support of student research. In the past year alone, we've developed initiatives that strengthen our students' confidence and abilities, provide them with hands-on learning opportunities, and engage them in research projects eligible for funding beginning at the undergraduate level. Our new Center of Excellence for Women in STEM (CEWS) was designed to address the overwhelming need for skilled professionals who are highly educated and well trained, particularly in math and science. "STEM has been deemed a national priority for the country to maintain both its global leadership and competitive position. We live in a highly technological age and we need an adequately trained workforce to compete economically in this setting and to progress in areas vital to our well-being, such as medicine," said Dr. Gina Semprebon, founding director of CEWS and professor of biology. CEWS provides our students with opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and networking with women leaders in STEM, as well as a cutting-edge curriculum including courses like forensic chemistry and technology. The Center also brings guest speakers and workshops to campus to reinforce students' classroom learning and build awareness, supporting the broader community of women in STEM. Our science programs boast unique opportunities for dedicated students to enroll in honors programs as well. The Women in STEM Honors Program (WiSH) engages students like Lorin Porth '19, profiled in this article, in collaborative research projects, often placing them with local researchers or other field professionals to gain first-hand experience in advanced subject matter. M E E T A S T U D E N T Lorin Porth '19 east longmeadow, ma wisH student majoring in Biology minoring in education " Through early lectures in the WiSH program, Dr. Semprebon connected me with an opportunity to work with Dr. Lamis Jarvinen and the LEGO robotics program in Longmeadow. I go to two different elementary schools to help promote scientific thinking and inquiry skills through the use of LEGOs. Every week, we do a different activity based around one theme. The kids have to modify the LEGO robots they build to try to make them the best they can be without any instruction from us on modifications, and they do all of the programming themselves. I'm also working with Dr. Semprebon to put together STEM displays and programs at the East Longmeadow Library. Eventually, I'd love to be teaching. I want to get as many kids, especially girls, interested in the STEM fields as possible. It's empowering to attend a women's college as an aspiring woman in science. All STEM career fields are challenging, whether you're female or male—you have to be really strong and believe in yourself. You have to stand by what you're researching, and keep writing, and keep asking questions. And Bay Path has offered me the support and mentorship from experienced women in the sciences needed to pursue my passion. " Prof. Pat Drewniak conducts an experiment with a group of students. BPW_WinterSpring 2016_final_Layout 1 3/24/16 2:44 PM Page 11

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