STEM Learning Event for Female Students
In February 2022 , TRC conducted a half-day virtual STEM workshop and engagement event with the Ron Burton Training Village ( RBTV ). The mission of the RBTV is to train challenged youth to achieve their purpose through education , leadership , physical wellness , social advancement and spiritual growth . As part of the students ’ year-round STEM journey through RBTV , 40 Boston , MA area girls in grades 6-12 attended TRC ’ s session supporting the 2022 theme of UN SDG 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities .
TRC volunteers hosted two modules for the day ’ s event : an urban forestry workshop and a roundtable where students connected with women working in STEM careers at TRC .
In the first session , students heard about the importance of urban forestry , learned the background and applications of Geographic Information System ( GIS ) and discovered the relevance of mapping in our increasingly digital world .
TRC created the module with a focus on student interaction with the girls participating in a hands on experiment , using GIS to identify suitable locations to virtually plant trees in a nearby neighborhood ( shown on left ), and solving for the years of tree growth necessary to sequester carbon from their personal annual phone usage .
TRC women representing various STEM backgrounds then led a roundtable with the students , with the women sharing their educational backgrounds and interests along with challenges and triumphs of working in STEM as women .
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