‘Expanding Your Horizons’ goes virtual for 2020

The San Joaquin Expanding Your Horizons (SJEYH) is going virtual for 2020. Registration opens Aug. 15 for the virtual event on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This year marks the 28^th year for SJEYH, a conference with a long history of inspiring young women and fostering awareness of careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The event usually draws more than 500 girls to the University of the Pacific for a day filled with hands-on workshops. However, due to large gathering restrictions brought on by COVID-19, SJEYH has shifted to a virtual format that still will include a special keynote speaker, a group activity and two workshops. Breaks are built into the schedule.

Keynote speaker Jessica Osuna, an atmospheric scientist at LLNL’s National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center, will kick off the virtual event with a talk about her once-in-a-lifetime experience working with NASA and the U.S. Air Force on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover launch in July.

The registration fee is $10 (half the normal fee) and includes a T-shirt, giveaways and supplies for the activities. To get your shirt and supplies, a drive-thru pickup will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in parking lot 1 at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, 1178 Larry Heller Drive. A link to sign up for a pickup time will be emailed after you are registered.

A special virtual presentation for parents will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., that will provide information on applying for colleges and financial aid. Parents can register for this workshop when registering their child for SJEYH.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the supply pickup on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the University of the Pacific and to serve as virtual chaperone’s the day of the conference. Go to the web to sign up.

For more information about the conference, to volunteer and to register online, go to the web.

For specific questions, send an info [at] sjeyh.org (email).

Local organizations or businesses interested in donating or participating may contact the San Joaquin EYH by info [at] sjeyh.org (email).

The SJEYH conference is co-sponsored by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories/California and the University of the Pacific School of Engineering and Computer Science.