Announcements about the program are sent to local schools and teachers can then register their students for the event starting in August. Each year the committee seeks out new presenters and exhibitors, requiring approximately fifteen each. The committee also takes on the challenge of finding funding for the additional event features that are not covered in grant funds, such as meals and t-shirts, seeking assistance from various sponsors and donors. Another challenge Bonneau feels the program is faced with is finding presenters. Though they have regular presenters from the school and from the community, they need a sufficient number of presenters for the event. Time conflicts can also be a factor as it can be difficult to substitute a presenter into a particular time slot. The presenters often gain from the program just as the students do, Pease explaining a rush she gets from working with the enthusiastic girls. “I feed off their energy and I get pumped by the interactions,” she explains. The day has its challenges too, and she is often physically worn out by the time the event is over. Tired, though a good tired. Pease feels that this event is extremely important as the US lags behind other countries in their preparation of scientists, both women and men needed in the sciences to keep the country competitive. “We really need this type of program all over the state so every child has a chance to explore a future career in science.” In assisting with the program over the years, Pease recalls her most memorable moment after giving the keynote speech a couple years ago. She followed a couple of students back to the lab to begin the breakout session. She overheard them commenting on her speech, “which I found exciting because I knew they had been interested enough to be listening.” She continues, “While the teacher was commenting that she didn’t think she would have done all that I had experienced in my life, the students were excited to find all of what was possible in life. They were talking animatedly about all of the possibilities they could see for their future life and for a career in a science field. Having that kind of impact makes all that I do worthwhile and it was an incredibly memorable moment to overhear their discussion.” Bonneau had a memorable moment from a few years back as well. After a presentation and fish dissection from a fisheries biologist (also Bonneau’s background), she was excited to overhear the students comment about it being the best session of the day. “To hear that girls are excited about the same things you like to do as a career is very inspiring,” she states. vWOMEN IN SCIENCE continued on page 31 Happy Holidays We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you in the future. Modern Woodmen Of America Financial Security Insurance • Long Term Care • Life/Health • Medicare Supplements • Retirement • Investments* • Serving SD & NE • Auto Insurance • Home Insurance • Farm Insurance • Business Insurance • Serving SD/NE 605-665-7799 – Cathy 605-689-0406 – Tammy* 605-665-3572 – Michele 904 W. 23rd St., Yankton *A Registered Representative. Securities offered through MWA Financial Services, Inc; a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen Of America. Health, Long Term Care, and Medical Supplements not offered by Modern Woodmen of America. Brokered insurance products available through MWAGIA, Inc., a Modern Woodmen subsidiary. Modern Woodmen and Koch Insurance are not affiliated companies. HERVOICEvNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016v23