The University of North Florida’s Center for the Advancement of Women in Engineering as well as the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction will celebrate International Women’s Week with the fifth annual Women Leaders in STEM Conference at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Adam W. Herbert University Center, Building 43.
The featured speaker will be Emily Calandrelli, aerospace engineer, author and Emmy-nominated host and executive producer of “Xploration Outer Space,” which focuses on space exploration and our place in the universe as part of Fox Network’s science-based television block “Xploration Station.”
Well-known in the world of science education and an accomplished speaker, Calandrelli will share her perspective on women in STEM fields as well as discuss space exploration, scientific literacy and equality. A Q&A session will follow her discussion.
“This is an exciting time for women entering the field of engineering, and we are so pleased to have Emily visit our campus,” said Dr. Alexandra Schönning, director of UNF’s Center for the Advancement of Women in Engineering. “She brings a celebrity status to her role as educator, explorer and engineer, and will serve as an inspiration to students who wish to pursue a career in a STEM field.”
Calandrelli has also been featured as a correspondent on Netflix’s show, “Bill Nye Saves the World,” as well as a writer and host of “Spotlight Space,” a YouTube series from Lockheed Martin detailing their latest developments in space projects. She also was named to Adweek’s “11 Celebrities and Influencers Raising the Bar for Creativity in 2017.”
She has given presentations in front of companies like Google, Pixar, MIT and Texas Instruments as well as dozens of K-12 schools across the nation, speaking on the importance of science literacy, the benefits of space exploration and the challenges for women in STEM careers.
An accomplished writer, Calandrelli’s chapter-book series launched in August 2017. “The Ada Lace Adventures” center around an 8-year-old girl with a knack for science, math and solving mysteries with technology. The second book, “Ada Lace: Sees Red,” was included in the National Science Teachers Association’s list of best STEM books for 2018; while the fifth book in the series, “Ada Lace: and the Suspicious Artist,” was just released February 12.
Prior to her work in science communication, Calandrelli attended West Virginia University, where she received two bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering, as well as MIT, where she received two master’s degrees, one in aeronautics/astronautics and the other in technology/policy.
For more information on this free event, visit the website, register or contact Alexandra Schönning via email.
The Center for the Advancement of Women in Engineering focuses on increasing recruitment, retention and advancement of women in engineering though outreach activities in the K-12 community, a coaching program for engineering students and conferences for engineering professionals.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
