Indeed, the helicopter from Coatesvilles Sikorsky Helicopters that was landed by female co-pilots on the grass on the campus of Penn State Universitys Great Valley branch last Saturday made a huge splash at the Girls Exploring Tomorrows Technology (GETT) event, and it was indicative of the growing success of the program established 10 years ago by the Chester County Economic Development Council and its Innovative Technology Action Group.
The program hosted 240 junior high and high school girls, a 66-percent increase from last year and nearly 200 more than its first program in 2001. The event also hosted sessions for about 120 parents, a first for the event. Exton rocket science outfit Analytical Graphics co-sponsored the event and its committee of 25 organizers helped produce this years program. Successful women from private industry and academia led about a dozen workshops ranging from The Future of Sustainable Energy to Gemology to Robots Undisguised.
Perhaps best illustrating the events success over the years is one of this years presenters was actually a student at the first GETT program 10 years ago.
The committee did a great job of creating flash, says Jim Lauckner, ITAGs director. Weve always been an event where want the girls to have hands-on opportunities and they walk away talking about these things, Hey I can do this.
Last year there was a significant waiting list, and PSU-Great Valley responded by donating space for the GETT event, allowing more students to participate.
Other sponsors included: Vanguard, Bentley Systems, Vertex, Inc., QVC, Chester County Healthcare Partnership, Agriculture Industry Partnership of SEPA, Smart Energy Initiative, BioScience Partnership, Chester County Keystone Innovation Zone, Chester County Workforce Investment Board and Regional Career Education Program.
Source: Jim Lauckner, Chester County Economic Development Council
Writer: Joe Petrucci