April 2016 • Issue 6
In This Issue: • STEM Expo • New Member Bios: Part I • Community Collaborations • Westside Book Nook Photo • April’s Causes to Highlight • JL Philadelphia Training Recap • Sustainer Update • March GMM Meeting Notes
MARK YOUR CALENDARS April 10-16: National Volunteer Week • Register on the members’ website April 11: Sustainer/Active Book Club • 6 p.m. • Jeanne Jackson’s House • “My Name Is Lucy Barton” by Elizabeth Strout April 13: Sustainer Lunch n’ Learn • 11:30 a.m. • Erie Canal Museum April 21: Sustainer R&R • 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. • The Distillery, Erie Blvd. East April 22: The Annual STEM EXPO • 8:00 a.m. • Danforth Middle School April 29: Sustainer Cocktail Party • 5:30 p.m. • The Home of Margaret and Raja Karim, 7308 Dartmoor Crossing, Fayetteville, NY.
4TH ANNUAL STEM EXPO The date is quickly approaching for the 2016 STEM EXPO at Danforth Middle School hosted by The Junior League of Syracuse. The event will take place on Friday morning, April 22nd. For this year’s Expo, we are very excited to feature Dr. Jeanette Epps, NASA astronaut and Syracuse native! She will be the Keynote Speaker as well as lead Danforth’s 6th grade girls in a large group demonstration and experiment. Following this, the girls will form small groups to rotate through four related experiments, each hosted by local organizations. These organizations are: SUNY-ESF, Darco Manufacturing, a weather/news station and Southwest Airlines. The goal of this annual event is to inspire young women to remain in school and to pursue a STEM degree. During her visit, the JLS will escort Dr. Epps to two other Syracuse city schools, Nottingham High School and Meachem Elementary, to present to students. The evening prior to the STEM EXPO, the JLS will host a community event at West Genesee High School for students, staff, families, administration and community members. Dr. Epps will present the story of her journey from growing up in Syracuse to becoming a NASA astronaut. Through these series of events, we strive to make a lasting impression in the lives of young women, by encouraging them to pursue their dreams and to become active members in their communities. By offering this opportunity that might not otherwise be available, we hope that the STEM EXPO and the involvement of Dr. Epps will help students believe that STEM career paths are attainable. The importance of promoting STEM careers within the CNY community is invaluable. Syracuse city schools have a student dropout rate of 16% and a graduation rate of 55%. These rates combined with women’s underrepresentation in the STEM work force, make the JLS’s STEM EXPO and awareness efforts vital to cultivating a successful community. Over 500 students will be directly impacted by the Junior League of Syracuse’s effort in promoting STEM! Contact the Community Collaborations Committee Member: Cheryl Saidel: cheryl. saidel@stylesolutionsteam.com The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • The NOTES • April 2016 | 1