A group works on their bridge, which had to be strong enough for the girls to walk across.

The first activity of the day was to create an acrobat that would balance on the high wire.

Two seventh and eighth grade girls looked over bridge schematics, while several more awaited instructions, surrounded by short metal bars, screws, nuts, and a crescent wrench. The challenge? To follow the diagram and construct a small metal bridge, sturdy enough for the girls to walk across, overseen by workshop leader Ed Evans, a senior lecturer in engineering at Penn State Behrend. "It's like a puzzle," Evans told them, as they tried to determine where to begin. In only one hour, the girls chose a leader, studied the drawing, and completed their section, learning about bridges in the process.

The workshop was one small part of Penn State Behrend's 9th Annual Math Options, held Tuesday, May 10, a day-long program designed to encourage girls to pursue advanced level math and science courses in their studies, and ultimately math, technology, business, and science-related careers. Math Options "addresses a problem recognized by a growing number of educators and mentors. Young girls need role models and encouragement if they are to pursue math-related careers."

Peggy McCarthy, director of Corporate and Continuing Education, said women's role in math and science is a timely issue because of recent comments made by Harvard president Lawrence Summers, that the reason women don't pursue such careers is because they don't have the same intellectual abilities in this area as men do. "This has caused a lot of controversy among academics, and his comments aren't supported by research," said McCarthy.

The day began at 8:00 a.m., with the arrival of 274 girls and their teachers from 39 schools in Erie, Crawford, Warren, Venango, and Potter counties in Pennsylvania, and Seneca, New York. Forty-eight Behrend faculty and staff and area professional men and women also participated this year.

While helping themselves to donuts and juice, the girls participated in their first activity: an acrobat contest, where the girls made an "acrobat" out of Popsicle sticks, a clothespin, straws, and marbles. The goal is to make the tallest acrobat that will keep its balance on its string "high wire."

The early morning contest was followed by welcoming remarks and keynote speeches by Emily Evans, a McDowell High School senior who participated in Math Options while in middle school, Julie Hauser, optometrist, and Denise Johnson, M.D., from Meadville Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates.

Emily Evans described to the young audience her own fears and success involving her Advanced Placement (AP) math and science courses. "My apprehension was completely unwarranted," she said. "My female classmates and I probably did better in our math and science classes than the males for the most part. In my AP classes I got a taste of what is to come in college."

"My favorite part of Math Options was the workshops," Evans told the girls. "Keep an open mind and get excited. You never know what will spark an interest for you."

Hauser and Johnson also offered words of encouragement. "The one thing I like about math is that there is always a right answer, said Hauser. "It's rare in life that you have clear-cut right answers. Math is satisfying in that way."

Johnson told the girls not to let anyone tell them they couldn't achieve their goals. "You're going to be leaders in a few years. You are already assets to your schools, your communities, and your world."

The students spent most of the morning in workshops with titles like "The Magic of Physics," "Weather 101" and "Lego Robotics." In "CSI @ PSU," the students investigated a mock crime scene and learned to fingerprint items and test blood stains and a mysterious white powder using chemistry skills. In "The Egg Drop Challenge" students learned Newton's Second Law firsthand, dropping eggs into homemade paper funnels, trying to keep them from breaking.

At lunchtime, a career fair was held in McGarvey Commons where fourteen representatives from area business, industries, and Penn State Behrend set up tables so the students could see what career choices are available in math and science fields. The event closed with prizes for the various contests and closing remarks.

"We had the highest number of participants we've ever had in the nine years we've offered the program," said McCarthy. "The keynote speakers did an excellent job in inspiring the participants and it was unique to have a Math Options 'grad' speak. The girls related to her well. There was a good variety of workshops offered to give the students a look at the many different careers available to them in the math, science, business, and technology fields."