Community Update

Eight Biomedical students from Science & Technology Magnet High School of

Southeastern Connecticut (STMHS) were selected to attend the

Perry Initiative Outreach Program at Yale University on Saturday, February 8, 2014. This highly competitive outreach program accepts only 36 students for each session. STMHS is proud to announce the following biomedical students as recipients and attendees: Kate Ashbey, Lillian James, Olivia Galeana, Delaney McPhail, Joselyn Vazquez, Emily Gonzalez, Goodness Adekoya, and Isis Torres. Accompanying the students were magnet school Director Louis E.

Allen and PLTW/STEM Coordinator, Janet Farquhar.

The Perry Initiative partners with medical centers, universities, and high schools to host Perry Outreach Programs for young women in high school, college, and medical school. These day-long programs are held at different locations nationwide throughout the year. Using real tools and bone models, girls participate in creative problem-solving and learn the orthopedic implant design process. Participants rotate through six mock surgical scenarios and attend three lectures on career decisions given by local women orthopedic surgeons and engineers. Local medical and engineering students act as hands-on activity instructors.

The Perry Initiative is committed to inspiring young women to be leaders in the exciting fields of orthopedic surgery and Engineering. Despite the increasing number of women entering medical and graduate school, women constitute only 12 percent of the academic faculty in orthopedics and 7 percent of

practicing orthopedists, according to the American Academy of orthopedic

surgeons. Only 11 percent of the faculty at engineering schools are women, with that percentage being lower for mechanical engineering.

This was an exciting and inspiring day for the STMHS students.

"The day really gave our female scholars an experiential learning opportunity to explore career options and to collaborate with local professionals in the medical and engineering fields. We are very proud of our selected students and the professional collaboration with the Perry Initiative," Allen said about the event.

To learn more about The Perry Initiative visit: perryinitiative.org or contact Lead Teacher, Janet Farquhar by email at farquharj@newlondon.org.

A few magnet seats remain available for students residing outside of New London to attend Science & Technology Magnet High School of Southeastern

Connecticut fall of 2014. To learn more visit www.nlstmhs.org

or call Mr. Allen at (860) 437-6496.