Conference Supports Girls’ Math Studies

Nearly 40 professional women from fields as diverse as computer science, marine biology, architecture, law, nursing, engineering and medicine are set to encourage middle and high school girls to get serious about their science and math classes at a Saturday conference in Oxnard.

Billed as an opportunity for girls to “reach for the stars,” the American Assn. of University Women hopes to attract as many as 1,000 girls to its Brighter Horizons conference at Rio Mesa High School.

The conference will give the young women the opportunity to meet and form personal contacts with professional women who have followed science, mathematics and technology career paths, said conference co-chair Terri Lisagor, a professor of food science and nutrition at Cal State Northridge.

“There seems to be an underlying feeling conveyed to young girls that they are not quite as adept in math and science,” Lisagor said. “It is a very subtle message.”

That message is particularly strong for minority girls and the conference will have several workshops in Spanish, Lisagor said.

Brighter Horizons will also have a concurrent session to provide parents the tools to encourage their daughters to pursue studies in those fields.

Although the conference is primarily for girls, boys are encouraged to attend.

The conference will be held at Rio Mesa High School, 545 Central Ave., in Oxnard, and begins at 9 a.m.

Admission is $6 for those who register in advance and $10 at the door, and includes breakfast, lunch and a conference T-shirt. Conference organizers can provide scholarships for those who cannot afford the admission fee. For information call (805) 531-1102.