On Saturday, a group of middle school girls sat in Lincoln Middle School, while college engineering students helped them program electronic necklaces.

Nora Hefte, a Pullman High School junior, led a STEM workshop for girls grades six through nine. She is a member of the Youth Ambassador Program and put together the service project for National Child Awareness Month. She hopes to study biomedical engineering in the future.

“A lot of girls in middle school lose interest in science and math. I want to spark that interest,” Hefte said.

The workshop included eight sections, each exploring a different area of science, technology, engineering, and math. The activities included making ice cream and digital necklaces.

Washington State University’s Robotics Club, Society of Women Engineers, and Chemistry Club volunteered at the workshop leading activities pertaining to their departments of study.

“I want to get more women involved because society tells them that it’s for men,” said Mallory Dunn, vice president of WSU’s Chemistry Club.

Amber Link, a middle school participant, said the workshops helped build the confidence of young women to pursue degrees in STEM fields.

Hefte said she hoped that the workshop would interest girls who already wanted to pursue STEM careers and those who are undecided on their future careers.

A volunteer said that one girl came to the workshop wanting to become an artist when she grew up, but after the chemistry activity, she told the volunteer that she wanted to become a chemist.

“The boys know it’s an option. Girls haven’t heard anyone say that you can be an engineer,” Hefte said.

Hefte said the goal of the workshop was to spark young girls’ interests in the sciences, and to show them the options that they have in STEM careers. There is a higher demand for STEM degree workers in Washington state and an increased need for female representation in the field.

“You get to try new things – learn the struggles that women go through,” said Annalynn Randall, a middle school participant. “We are the generation to change this. I can make the world better for other people.”

Hefte serves as Washington’s Youth Ambassador through the Youth Service America and Festival of Children Foundation. The Ambassadorship challenges students to provide service projects to tackle critical issues for children. After discovering her passion for STEM, she said she wanted to help other girls find theirs.

Hefte hopes to offer the program again next year, possibly opening attendance through 12th grade.