More than 120 students recently took part in an interactive learning space hosted by EM’s Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) deactivation and remediation contractor at this year’s “STEM 4 Girls” event in Paducah.

Female engineers, scientists, and other professionals from the Paducah Site informed the young women in the fifth through 12th grades about the variety of careers available to them in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

“Until recent decades, careers were limited for women,” Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership (FRNP) Deputy Program Manager and event volunteer Myrna Redfield said. “This experience is beneficial to young women as they prepare to enter the job market, to see what’s available to them in our region. We were thrilled to be part of such a rich, educational experience for young women in our community.”

PPPO Paducah Site Lead Jennifer Woodard, who also volunteered, added, “We have several female engineers and managers at the site in leadership positions. This is a great program to showcase STEM careers for young women.”

During the event, students explored hands-on activities designed to educate them on the presence of natural radiation in the world, as well as its history and uses. They also met women working in technical areas and learned about how personal protective equipment helps promote safety at the Paducah Site.

The event was held at the West Kentucky Community and Technical College and is an initiative of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce.