Women In Science and Engineering (W.I.S.E.) is a free annual symposium, founded by Poly Prep educators, Fleurette Turkenkopf and Jamie Nestor. Since it began in 2012, the one-day conference has inspired NYC middle and high school girls to pursue science and engineering and has introduced them to a wide range career options in STEM fields.
Each year, girls from all over the tri-state area descend on the beautiful Poly campus in Brooklyn for a day of inspiration and creativity. They meet accomplished women who work in STEM fields and enjoy a day of hands-on experiences in a variety of workshops specifically designed for grades 5–12. In the workshops, girls collaborate to solve problems using creative design processes. Run exclusively by women, the girls who participate in W.I.S.E. are able to see themselves in the program’s leaders. They leave empowered with the confidence to pursue higher education in STEM and a better understanding of a wide range of career opportunities they may pursue. Through W.I.S.E. and its philosophy, Poly continues to attract girls interested in STEM and to inspire women who are already here.
If you enjoy science, technology, or math, love to tinker and see how things work, or wonder what engineers do, W.I.S.E. welcomes you. This year’s W.I.S.E. event is on Sunday, November 11 from 9 AM to 4 PM at Poly Prep Country Day School, 9216 7th Ave, Brooklyn NY 11228. Please visit polywise.org to register or email wise@polyprep.org to learn more.
