Women in Science day, which will be held today on campus, will allow high school girls to learn about the careers available to them in the math and science fields. Women who have experience and careers in the science field will be making presentations and talking to the girls about their careers.

“The program is designed to encourage female students in high school to stay in the science fields,” said Eileen Underwood an associate professor in the Biology Department.

One of the goals of the program is to show girls that a career in the science fields is attainable.

“We want to show the girls that they can combine a successful career in science with a family. We want to portray a realistic view,” Underwood said.

The Women in Science program also encourages girls to take science classes and stay active in the math and science fields.

“If girls don’t take math and science courses, it is much harder for them to get out into the field if they want to pursue a science career later in life,” said Charlene Waggoner, a lecturer in the department of Biology.

Underwood also agrees that girls should be encouraged to take science classes.

“The program informs girls of what is involved in a science career as well as the appropriate classes to take. Girls shouldn’t shut science out,”Underwood said.

The format of the program will consist of two discussion panels as well as smaller presentations by women who are involved in math and science careers. In the smaller presentations, girls will be permitted to ask questions of the women. Women with M.D.s and Ph.Ds will be involved in the presentations.

“The girls can ask questions and get a personal glimpse into the wide variety of careers in the math and science field,” Waggoner said.

Underwood, who is a molecular biologist will be participating in the presentations.

“I work with reptiles, which is very unusual, and I will be showing my animals to the girls while telling them about my career. I want them to know they can do anything they want to if they put their mind to it,” Underwood said.

Women in Science day was started because of the small number of women in science related professions. Eileen Underwood hopes to dispel some of the misconceptions of women in science related careers.

“We don’t want stereotypes to stop the girls from pursuing science careers, ” Underwood said.

Both Underwood and Waggoner agree that women are very under represented in the science field. They both hope that the program will encourage more girls to think about careers in math and science.

As far as the success of the Women in Science day, Waggoner believes that it has been successful.

“We do have anecdotal evidence of the day’s success, and we do hear from girls in science classes who have attended the Women in Science day,” Waggoner said.