Inaugural IgniteHER STEM 4 Girls Conference Set for April 5

What if the next groundbreaking scientist, engineer, or coder is sitting in a middle school classroom right now, unaware of the limitless possibilities ahead of her? IgniteHER, a new event designed to empower young girls to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), hopes to change that. Taking place on April 5, 2025 at Bakersfield College, this one-day conference for fifth through eighth-grade girls seeks to spark curiosity and ambition in the next generation of innovators.

Led by STEM Program Specialists Holli Gonzalez and Chelsy Lancaster from Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), this inaugural event ensures girls will be able to see all the opportunities available in STEM. The inspiration for IgniteHER came from a similar conference hosted by the Fresno County Office of Education, where both Lancaster and Gonzalez facilitated a session. Seeing the enthusiasm of more than 500 girls at this event empowered them to bring the same excitement to girls in Kern County.

Lancaster says they want to provide young girls with visible role models in STEM, dispel stereotypes, and show them that careers in these fields are not only attainable but thriving right here in Kern County.

“Representation is number one, so we are really just trying to make sure we highlight the women in STEM in our community,” said Lancaster. “One way we’re doing this is by partnering with Kern County Women in STEM, a group of like-minded women who want to help mentor these girls too.”

A key supporter of the event is Jeannie Bertolaccini, a licensed architect and part-owner of Ordiz Melby Architects. She is Kern County’s first Hispanic female architect and one of the founding members of Kern County Women in STEM. With a passion for mentorship, she has dedicated years to advocating for young women in underrepresented communities, ensuring they are aware of the vast opportunities in STEM fields. She expresses a desire for the resources and support that were unavailable to her during her own upbringing. 

“I was the only girl in my drafting classes,” Bertolaccini recalled. “It was all boys, and at times, it felt like I didn’t belong. But I loved it, and I didn’t let being the only girl stop me. Looking back, I realize how important it is for young women to see others like them in these fields. That’s why mentorship and visibility matter so much.”

Now, she wants to give back to the community. Together with the rest of the Kern County Women in STEM group, Bertolaccini has spearheaded mentorship programs, taken students on field trips to meet female STEM professionals, and played a pivotal role in developing the Kern County Women in STEM Speakers Bureau, a volunteer-run initiative that connects classroom teachers with local professionals to inspire students. 

Through this program, female STEM professionals share their personal journeys, career insights, and hands-on experiences, giving students a unique opportunity to learn from real-world role models and spark curiosity and passion for STEM.

“We need more representation in STEM fields,” Bertolaccini said. “If young girls don’t see women working in these roles, they may not realize that these careers are open to them. Events like IgniteHER are crucial in changing that.”

Both Gonzalez and Lancaster feel the same, adding that finding those female voices will be the key to making the IgniteHer conference a success. 

With planning well underway, the IgniteHER planning team is seeking local women in STEM to serve as speakers, mentors, and workshop facilitators at this event.

“Whether they work in biotech, engineering, environmental science, or any other STEM-related field, we value their experiences, and we know the girls attending the conference will too,” said Lancaster.

For more information on becoming a presenter or volunteering for this event, please visit tinyurl.com/IgniteHER2025. If you have any questions, please contact Holli Gonzalez at hogonzalez@kern.org or Kristi Watkins at krwatkins@kern.org.