Category: UW-Sheboygan Foundation press release

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Sheboygan South High School to host fifth annual AAUW Girls STEM Day Conference

Participants in the 2021 Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Girls STEM Day Conference utilize ingredients for fingerprint identification, during the forensic science session. The 2022 AAUW Girls STEM Day Conference is set to take place Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sheboygan South High School from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

SHEBOYGAN, WIS. (October 3, 2022) – The Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is preparing to present the fifth annual Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 5, at Sheboygan South High School, located at 1240 Washington Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

Since its inception in 2017, the popular event has strived to connect sixth through ninth-grade girls with the vast wonders of STEM by highlighting the core fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting with check-in from 8 a.m to 8:30 a.m., features 11 different STEM-inspiring sessions, along with a presentation from keynote speaker Kathryn Clouse, Kohler Co. Kitchen and Bath Products Innovation Program director, from 8:30-9 a.m.

“Our goal with the Girls STEM Day Conference is to encourage young girls to discover, explore and learn from STEM field experts in a wide range of specialty areas related to careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Co-Chair Dolcye Johnson said. “Since 2006, AAUW has taken on an initiative to empower girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. This initiative has taken several forms on a national level. Here in Sheboygan County, we are doing it through this conference.

“Last year, the event drew 65 girls and our goal for this year is 100,” she said.

The conference includes a diverse list of STEM field experts, including Clouse, who runs the Innovation Program for Kitchen and Bath Products at Kohler Co. In her position, Clouse helps ensure Kohler Kitchen and Bath products stay up to date with developing technology and innovative strategies in the field.

Kohler Co. Kitchen and Bath Products Innovation Program Director Kathryn Clouse will serve as the keynote speaker at the fifth annual Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sheboygan South High School.

Clouse, who holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics from UW-Madison and a Master of Business Administration degree from UW-Oshkosh, advocates for women’s and girls’ topics often as the president of the Kohler Co. Kitchen and Bath Women’s Group and founder of the female-centered innovation focus within the women’s groups.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to choose three of 11 available 45-minute STEM sessions running between 9:15 a.m. and noon.

The STEM sessions over a diverse range of topics including architectural design (Architecture – Designed Awareness presented by Kurt Davis, Anne Blanke, Taylor Kranzusch, Sydney Goetsch, Sam Krakow of Abacus Architects), graphic design (Beginner’s Graphic Design presented by Deb Sevens of Designs by Deb Sevens), robotics (Robotic Surgery presented by Dr. Jessica Leszcynski of Prevea Health), veterinary science (A Look Inside the Bovine Hide presented by Dr. Ellen Hooker, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture veterinarian), forensic science (Crime Scene Investigation presented by Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department Detective Tyler Wuestenhagen), applied chemistry (Chem Demons presented by UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan County Professor James Kabrhel and Sheboygan Falls Middle School teacher Pam Salm), food science (Sensory of Slices presented by Claire Collins of Sartori Cheese), the science of color and appearance (The Science of Color presented by Kohler Co. staff members Jennifer Tarplee, Rachel Feldmann, Kate Revelis and Stephanie Soendker), hydroponic gardens (Hydroponics presented by Plymouth High School agriscience teachers Tracy Heinbuch and Katelyn Sibley), binary number systems (Beaded Binary Bracelet Boutique presented by UW-Green Bay Senior Math Lecturer Synde Kraus) and the science of scents and fragrances (Flowers and Fragrances presented by MilliporeSigma senior scientists).

“We have a wonderful group of expert presenters, who are working in these STEM fields with many years of experience,” Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Co-Chair Allyson Olivier said. “We have middle school and high school teachers, professors, police officers, veterinarians, engineers, product managers and developers and business owners that will be leading the STEM sessions.

The Science of Color is one of the returning sessions set to be featured at the 2022 Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sheboygan South High School.

“The presenters are genuinely happy to teach these sessions and the girls are so eager to learn,” she said. “It is fun to witness all the excitement that these sessions generate. The best thing is that they are all hands-on too. The girls actually get to experience what it is like to do these types of careers. Seven of the 11 sessions – Robotic Surgery, Beaded Binary Bracelet Boutique, Beginner’s Graphic Design, Flowers and Fragrances, Sensory of Slices, Crime Scene Investigation and Architecture-Designed Awareness – are new for this year.”

The registration fee is $10 per student, which includes instruction and supplies. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 28.

Sponsors for this year’s event include F.K. Bemis Family Foundation, Frank G. & Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, Feingold Family Foundation, Grover Family Foundation, Benninghaus Family Foundation and Masters Gallery Foods.

In-kind donors are Betty Humke, City Bakery, Dolcye Johnson, Judy Hangartner, Laura Lienau, Marianne Comstock and Richard Linde, Masters Gallery Foods, Old Wisconsin Sausage Co. and Z Spot Expresso & Coffee.

“We would like to thank the Sheboygan Recreation Department and Sheboygan South High School for being so great to work with last year and again this year,” Johnson said. “We are looking forward to having the Girls STEM Day event return to Sheboygan South High School on November 5th.”

Founded in 1881, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity by empowering women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

The Sheboygan Branch of AAUW grants scholarships each year to non-traditional women students.

To register or for more information on the Girls STEM Day Conference, visit http://urezsignup.com/event/register.php?event_id=491122 or call Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Conference Co-Chair Dolcye Johnson at 920-458-5819.

October 3, 2022 / by Jeff Pederson

UW-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus to host Girls STEM Day Conference

Girls in sixth through ninth grade will have the opportunity to take part in four different hands-on STEM-inspired sessions, including A Look Inside the Biovine Hide, during the third annual Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation Girls STEM Day Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus in Sheboygan, Wis. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

By Jeff Pederson-Pedal Down Promotions

SHEBOYGAN, WIS. (October 3, 2019) – In an increasingly high-tech world, the search for the next generation of innovative minds in the vital STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math is vast, continuous and ever-changing.

In an effort to introduce and engage sixth through ninth-grade girls to the wonders of STEM, Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has joined with the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation to hold the third annual Girls STEM Day Conference Saturday, Nov. 2, at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, located at 1 University Drive in Sheboygan, Wis.

The conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., features 12 different STEM-inspiring sessions, along with a presentation from keynote speaker Lauren Sammel of Johnsonville LLC., from 8:30-9 a.m.

“Our goal with the Girls STEM Day Conference is to encourage young girls to discover, explore and learn from STEM field experts in a wide range of specialty areas related to careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” AAUW, Sheboygan Branch Member and Girls STEM Day Conference Chair Dolcye Johnson said. “Since 2006, AAUW has taken on an initiative to empower girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. This initiative has taken several forms on a national level. Here in Sheboygan County, we are doing it through this conference.

Girls in sixth through ninth grade will have the opportunity to take part in four different hands-on STEM-inspired sessions, including engineering teamwork, during the third annual Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation Girls STEM Day Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus in Sheboygan, Wis. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

“We started the Girls STEM Day Conference three years ago and 84 girls attended last year,” she said. “Our goal is 100 girls this year. This year we will offer a keynote speech and the girls can choose four out of 12 hands-on STEM-based sessions.”

The conference features an impressive list of STEM field experts, including Sammel, who is the director of Sustainable Swine Resources, a division of Johnsonville LLC focused on porcine material and co-products businesses. With over 15 years of experience in the meat industry, Sammel has led and advanced innovative technical solutions for growth, quality and cost management opportunities.

Lauren Sammel, the director of Sustainable Swine Resources, a division of Johnsonville LLC, will be the featured keynote speaker at the third annual Sheboygan Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation Girls STEM Day Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus in Sheboygan, Wis. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to choose four of 12 available 45-minute STEM sessions, which cover a diverse range of topics including robotic surgery (Robodoc), paleontology (Digging for Clues), computer software design (Hello World), simple electronic circuits (Squishy Circuits), applied chemistry (Chem Demons), DNA science (What is DNA?), forensic science (Forensic Science), solar energy (Here Comes the Sun), veterinary science (A Look Inside the Biovine Hide), robotics (Robotics Challenge), drone photography (Drone Photography and product development and sensory science (Sensory of Slices).

“We have a wonderful group of expert presenters, who are working in these STEM fields with many years of experience,” Johnson said. “We have middle school and high school teachers, professors, police officers, veterinarians, engineers, product managers and developers and business owners that will be leading the STEM sessions.

“The presenters are genuinely happy to teach these sessions and the girls are so eager to learn,” she said. “It is fun to witness all the excitement that these sessions generate. The best thing is that they are all hands-on too. The girls actually get to experience what it is like to do these types of careers. Seven of our presenters from last year asked to come back this year. In addition, several brand-new sessions are scheduled to debut this year.”

Two parent sessions will also be featured. Former Sheboygan Police Department Detective Tamera Remington will present a parent session on Human Trafficking from 9:15-10:30 a.m. and the other parent session titled College Prep 101, which will be led by UW-Green Bay staff, runs from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

“Detective Remington has been giving presentations on human trafficking to large audiences and we are very happy to have her join us,” UW-Sheboygan Foundation Executive Director and Development Director Allyson Meredith Olivier said. “The college prep session will cover college courses, tuition costs and many other topics related to enrolling in college.”

The registration fee is $10 per student, which includes lunch. Scholarships are available for those unable to cover the fee. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 25.

Sponsors for this year’s event include American Orthodontics, Garton Family Foundation, Grover Family Foundation, Betty Humke, Feingold Family Charitable Foundation, Johnsonville LLC, Masters Gallery Foods Inc, Robin Callan, Rockline Industries.

In-kind donors are Aurora Health Care, Cousin’s Subs, Festival Foods, JoAnn Gadicke, Judy Hangartner, Old Wisconsin Sausage Inc., Pick n’Save, Tietz’s Piggly Wiggly, Z Spot Espresso & Coffee and Zimmermann Printing.

Founded in 1881, the American Association of University of Women (AAUW) empowers women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

Now in its 41st year, the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation supports the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus by providing resources to ensure its success and excellence. The foundation works to enhance the university’s image within the community, broaden its base of financial support and communicate to the public its responsiveness to local needs.

To register or for more information on the Girls STEM Day Conference, https://www.uwgb.edu/foundation/sheboygan-campus/ or call UW-Sheboygan Foundation Executive Director and Development Director Allyson Meredith Olivier at 920-459-6612 or Sheboygan Branch AAUW member and Girls STEM Day Conference Chair Dolcye Johnson at 920-458-5819.

October 3, 2019 / by Jeff Pederson

UW-Sheboygan receives high praise, rave reviews at special Community Engagement Event

Allyson Olivier, UW-Sheboygan Foundation Executive Director

By Jeff Pederson – Pedal Down Promotions

(University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation) May 15, 2017 – The quality, value and convenience of the educational programs offered at the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan was showcased on center stage as the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation held a special Community Engagement, Awareness and Outreach Event at Acuity Insurance in Sheboygan Thursday, May 11.

The first-time event drew 150 public and private sector community leaders and business professionals for an evening dedicated to the important role the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan plays in shaping the vitality of the area.

The highlight of the evening was a formal presentation in the Acuity theater in the round, featuring speeches from Acuity Insurance President and CEO Ben Salzmann, Sheboygan County Administrator Adam  Payne, Sargento Foods CEO Louie  Gentine, UW-Colleges Southeast Region Regional Executive Officer and Dean Dr. Jackie Joseph-Silverstein and UW-Sheboygan Sophomore Michaela Possley.  Allyson Meredith Olivier, Executive Director and Development Officer, UW-Sheboygan Foundation, served as the events Master of Ceremonies.

Salzmann, who led tours of the 1-million-square-foot Acuity facility following the presentation, spoke about Acuity’s commitment to UW-Sheboygan.

“We are great believers in the UW system,” Salzmann said. “At Acuity, we’ve hired 700 college grads in the last five years. I like to think we are the pied pipers of the UW system.”

Payne spoke about how the UW-Sheboygan campus has evolved over the years due to support from the local business sector.

“UW-Sheboygan is one of the county’s best-kept secrets,” Payne said. “Many people may not realize it, but UW-Sheboygan has actually been around since 1964.  Through a partnership between Sheboygan County and the state of Wisconsin. The County owns the buildings and the grounds, while the state operates the school. It has been a strong partnership that I’ve taken a lot of pride in as county administrator.”

Payne went on to note the addition of the Brotz Science Building in 2004, Acuity Technology Center in 2007, and Plenco Engineering Building in 2014.

“Through the support of the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation, Brotz Family Foundation, Acuity and Plastic Engineering Company, a total of $15 million dollars has been invested in our educational system at UW-Sheboygan since 2004,” Payne said. “I was born and raised in Sheboygan County, and I know how when there is a problem, people come together, collaborate and get things done. That’s what has happened here. It is truly remarkable, because it’s not like that everywhere.”

Michaela Possley, who is scheduled to graduate with an associates of arts and science degree on May 22, spoke about how UW-Sheboygan has served as a launching pad for her blossoming college career.

“I am from Cedar Grove and starting college at UW-Sheboygan has been perfect for me,” Possley said. “It is close to home, affordable, has quality professors that are highly accessible and giving of their time and has given me the opportunity to be involved in many student organizations and activities, including serving as a math mentor, library assistant and vice president of the campus student government association.

“My time at UW-Sheboygan has helped me to gain strong leadership skills and allowed me to explore my academic interests and discover how much I enjoy math,” she said. “I am  pleased to say that I will be graduating from UW-Sheboygan with an associate’s degree and next fall I  will be continuing my education at UW-Oshkosh, where  I plan to major in marketing and finance with a math minor.”

Louie Gentine noted the emphasis area high schools and colleges have put into forging connections with the manufacturing sector.

“We are blessed to be in Sheboygan County,” Gentine said. “This is such a strong and healthy community and education is at the top. The efforts of the high schools with the Ag Center at Elkhart Lake, Red Raider initiative at Sheboygan North and South and the Plymouth Tech Center are commendable. The work that UW-Sheboygan is doing to elevate college education in Sheboygan County is the crown jewel for the area.

“Not everyone is cut out for a four-year or even a two-year degree, but it is important to expose kids to all opportunities and that is what our schools are doing in Sheboygan County,” he said. “We all need to do what we can to educate young students and our future employees about what UW-Sheboygan has to offer.”

Dr. Jackie Joseph-Silverstein said UW-Sheboygan plays a key role in keeping the dream a college education alive for many local students.

“UW-Sheboygan gives students the ability to start college locally,” Silverstein said. “These are students that have jobs and family responsibilities locally. Others just need some extra time close to home and they want to get started with their college education. Through UW-Sheboygan, these students are able to get a quality UW education that truly prepares them for the future.

“They leave UW-Sheboygan with a strong foundation for success as they move on in college and in the workplace,” she said. “In fact, UW-Sheboygan students have a 10-percent higher four-year graduation rates than regular students at four-year colleges. The only thing I have noticed is that due to our relatively small size at UW-Sheboygan, there is a real connection between the students and professors. There is a true sense of pride on the UW-Sheboygan campus that is hard to replicate at larger universities.”

Many members of the audience left the presentation impressed with what they heard.

“I never realized that UW-Sheboygan has opportunities that go beyond a two-year institution,” Kohler Co. CIO and Vice President of Sustainability Davor Grgic said. “I was impressed that now there are four-year degrees offered at UW-Sheboygan in engineering. It is really a great economical way to get started on a UW system degree.”

Sheboygan Mayor Mike Vandersteen said he has always been a big supporter of UW-Sheboygan.

“I worked very closely with UW-Sheboygan during my time on the Sheboygan County Board,” Vandersteen said. “It has been great to see all of the donors that have offered their support to the UW-Sheboygan Foundation to enhance the facilities on campus. We need to continue to raise awareness be sure people believe in the importance of UW-Sheboygan, because it is a great asset for our community.”

In between speakers, videos featuring current students commenting on their experiences at UW-Sheboygan were displayed on the Acuity theater’s screens.

UW-Sheboygan Foundation Executive Director Allyson Olivier was thrilled with the response to the inaugural event.

“This is the first time that we’ve put on this type of community awareness event for UW-Sheboygan,” Olivier said. “We looked at this event as a friend raiser. Our goal was to give people a good opportunity to view UW-Sheboygan through a whole new lens. I am very pleased with how the event turned out and thankful for everyone who helped to make it happen.”

The event also featured a gourmet buffet, tours of the Acuity Insurance facility and rides on the Acuity Ferris wheel.

For more information on the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation, contact UW-Foundation Executive Director and Development Officer Allyson Olivier at allyson.olivier@uwc.edu or 920-459-6612.

 

 

 

May 18, 2017 / by Jeff Pederson