NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's College of Sciences and Mathematics will host the second annual Women in STEM Luncheon and Style Show in April as part of its ongoing effort to increase college enrollment among science, technology, education and mathematics disciplines.
"The purpose of this luncheon is to raise scholarship funds for female STEM majors at SFA," said Vicki Shimer, special projects coordinator for the college. "It also is a way to raise awareness of the need to enroll more females in the STEM disciplines and encourage them to pursue STEM-related degrees."
According to Change the Equation - an organization working to ensure all students are STEM literate through collaboration with schools, communities and states - female STEM students are 6 percent more likely to change their major. Also, only 30 percent of elementary school teachers feel well prepared to encourage girls to participate in science.
Girls also are more likely than boys to earn credits in algebra II, precalculus, advanced biology, chemistry and health science, Change the Equation reported. However, no improvement has been noted in the number of women enrolled in STEM disciplines since 2001.
SFA's newly appointed Regent Nelda Luce Blair will be the event's keynote speaker. Blair is president and owner of The Blair Law Firm. During the majority of her 30-year law career, she has shared a home and office in The Woodlands with her husband, retired attorney Jim Blair. Their daughter, Maris A. Blair, also is an attorney with the firm.
The luncheon and style show will begin at noon Thursday, April 7, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom. More than 225 attended the event in 2015.
The reservation deadline is Friday, April 1. Tickets are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight. Fashions will be provided by The Town House.
For information or to make a reservation, contact Shimer at (936) 468-5197 or shimervm@sfasu.edu.
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