PPPL brings love of science to young women with annual conference

The conference is held every year and brings young women and established female scientists together.

PRINCETON - For years science has been known as a male-dominated field - but the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab (PPPL) is working to help change that.

On Friday the lab held its 15^th annual Young Women's Conference and invited girls and young women from around the state as well as some from Maryland and Pennsylvania to visit the lab, participate in experiments and watch science demonstrations.

The goal of the day has always been to demonstrate for young people how fun and accessible science can be. But it has another aim - to also create a connection between young aspiring female scientists and the women who forged their way in a field where women are often underrepresented.

Shannon Greco, a program leader in Science Education at PPPL, said watching girls get engaged or interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) was heartening.

"I see myself in all of these girls," Greco said. As a young girl interested in science, Greco said she had mentors who helped her realize her passion for STEM - but she recognizes that many girls are not so lucky.

Princeton scientists inspire

"They need to see people in the field," Greco said, adding that was the benefit of having young girls talk to established female scientists. "They can see themselves becoming something like that."

It wasn't just the PPPL scientists who got inspired by the day. For Katalin Frolio, a volunteer with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the highlight was watching girls get excited about using a robot or creating a circuit to turn on a light bulb.

"It's nice to see people get excited about engineering," she said.

Frolio, who said she grew up in a culture that did not encourage women to be scientists or engineers, added it wasn't until she moved to the United States that she realized she could pursue her dream.

Now, she said, it was exciting to watch other girls getting interested in that same dream and to talk to them about their interest.

"It's good that I am an engineer so they see that it's possible," she added.

 Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.