In a high-energy event filled on with hands-on activities, teamwork, and inspiration, Kern County celebrated women in STEM by bringing young girls together to explore the possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers — many of which are growing rapidly right in their own backyard.
Organized through a partnership between the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), Bakersfield College, Kern County Women in STEM, and the Kern County Science Foundation, the event — titled “IgniteHER: STEM for Girls” — was designed to equip girls with new skills and the confidence to envision themselves in STEM roles.
“Today we’re celebrating women in STEM, and we are so excited to get girls excited about the possibilities that exist in STEM careers — especially right here in Kern County,” said Holli Gonzalez, a STEM program specialist with KCSOS. “We’re fourth in the nation for growth in STEM careers. That’s the nation — and our girls need to know they can be a part of that.”
One powerful component of the event was mentorship — college students pursuing engineering degrees guided activities, offering a tangible example of what’s possible.
Micro robot battles were a hit at the first-ever IgniteHER event on April 5.
Throughout the day, students engaged in creative, hands-on STEM challenges that encouraged problem-solving and teamwork. One powerful component of the event was mentorship — college students pursuing engineering degrees guided activities, offering a tangible example of what’s possible.
“Working with them is more about showing them opportunities — how they can allow their creativity to blossom,” said Leny Palapuz, a Bakersfield College engineering student who volunteered at the event. “We’re focusing the girls on teamwork and STEM building. That’s what we want to help do.”
For many girls, it was their first time seeing STEM in such an engaging, real-world context.
“To be led by a college student who’s in an engineering program is pretty amazing,” said Wallace Elementary School Teacher Jennifer Allen, who brought a group of girls down from Kernville. “For our girls to see that and think, ‘That could be me someday’ — we’re loving it. It’s so empowering.”
Organizers hope to make IgniteHER an annual offering.
By Robert Meszaros
Rob Meszaros is Director of Communications for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, where he has served since 2012. In his role, Meszaros oversees media relations, internal and external communication strategies, publications, Marcom, branding, and multi-media content creation. Before joining KCSOS, Meszaros was the PIO for CSU Bakersfield and earlier worked for seven years at The Bakersfield Californian.