SYRACUSE — Wawasee’s Iron Pride Robotics team hosted its third annual Girl Powered event, “Indiana Gets Girl Powered III,” Saturday, Oct. 12, at Wawasee High School as a part of the global Girl Powered initiative started by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation.

Eleven mentors volunteered their time, experience and expertise to empower the next generation of women to join STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. More than 60 girls aged 10-18 signed up from as far as Crown Point and mentors as far as Kent, Ohio.

The afternoon started with an icebreaker activity, grouping girls with mentors and challenging them to build the tallest structure possible from a limited amount of index cards and tape that would support a beach ball. The winning structure measured an impressive 30 feet tall. Networking then commenced with discussion sessions in small groups where girls could visit the mentors and converse with them regarding their field of expertise.

During a panel discussion the mentors inspired the girls in attendance with stories of finding their voices in industries in which they are largely underrepresented, and how to persevere in order to achieve their goals. The mentors themselves mentioned how inspired they were by the girls and each other.

Following the panel discussion was a dinner featuring pizza, soup and salad, cupcakes made by Wawasee High School Culinary Arts teacher, Dan Bauer, and a chocolate fountain. Girls and mentors had the opportunity to enjoy the photo booth with props and a Girl Powered backdrop.

The list of mentors included:

Professor Rebecca Whelan – chemistry – Notre Dame

Rachel Haselby – computer science – Purdue University

Dessiree Hurst – geology/geosciences – Hanson Aggregates

Dr. Becca Love – bioinformatics – Notre Dame

Jamila McKenzie – biomedical engineering, biomechanics track – Case Western Reserve University

Regina Neugebauer – biomedical engineering – University of Akron, Ohio

Rebecca Chaney – BS in engineering and supply chain MBA and Masters of Science in engineering

Management – DePuy Synthes

Monica Choudhury – biomedical engineering – DePuy Synthes

Andrea Miller – art and technology teacher; Master of Fine Arts – Warsaw Area Career Center

Kori Rivard – materials science and engineering, bioengineering – DePuy Synthes

Jamila McKenzie – biomedical engineering, biomechanics track – Case Western Reserve University

Regina Neugebauer – biomedical engineering – University of Akron, Ohio

Rebecca Thomas – chemical engineer and plant manager – Land O’ Lakes

Indiana Gets Girl Powered III was organized by Wawasee educators and robotics coaches Jed Wandland and Julie Hays. The event was sponsored by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and Linda Chastain of State Farm.