FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Education Department Hosts My Sister’s Keeper Spring Stem Day Event
Video:andfromChancellor Young andCommissioner Rosa
The 91Ƶ State Education Department (91Ƶ) todayhosted theMy Sister’s Keeper Spring STEM Day eventatSUNYOldWestbury.Approximately650young women and girlsgatheredfrom various regions of the statetolearn more about the college experience,attendworkshops and panel discussions, andheardirectlyfromSUNY Old Westbury students.Thefull-day event marks the second annual My Sister’s Keeper(MSK)event hosted by 91Ƶ, which launched the MSK initiative in 2025.
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr.said,“My Sister’s Keeper reflectsourcommitment to ensuring that young women of color haveaccess totheopportunitiesandsupportthey needto thrive in STEM. Events like today’sare part of that mission—bringinglearning to life, connecting students with mentors,andprovidingreal-world experiences that affirmstudents’potential and expand their vision for what is possible. When we invest in curiosity and leadership, wecanstrengthen not only the futureof these young women and girls, but the future of our communities and our state.”
Commissioner Betty A. Rosasaid,“One of thetop priorities for an event such as this istoempower girls and young womenwho dream of one day making their markin STEM.By creating spaces where young women can see themselves reflected in STEM fields, engage in hands-on learning, and build confidence alongside their peers, wecan break down barriers and turn these dreams into reality. Through My Sister’s Keeper, we are nurturing talent, fostering belonging, and ensuring that the next generation of innovators is as diverse, dynamic, and brilliant as thecommunities they serve.”
Building upon the success of the 91Ƶ State My Brother’s Keeper(NYSMBK)initiative,MSKfocuseson the specific challenges girls and young women of color experience in STEM educationandworks to eliminate gender disparities in STEM fields while supporting diversity and building leadership skills in future female leaders.
The Spring STEM Day event included a tour of the SUNY Old Westbury campus,presentations on admissions and financial aid, workshops, and panel discussions.The workshopsprovidedstudentswithfirsthand experienceengaginginundergraduate-level courseworkon a college campusand included topics such as:
- Using the Science of Hope to Achieve Our Goals
- Math in Motion
- Teaching and Learning Mathematics Through Problem Solving
- Build a RecommenderSystemLike Netflix's
- Becoming Public Health Leaders: You Can Change How Families Thrive
- Graphic Design and the Use of Digital Technologies
- Art
- The Human Endocrine System and Reproductive System
- Biology
- Interdisciplinary Science
To support girls and young women of color in their pursuit of careers in STEM,MSK will conduct workshopstoteach life skillsandstrategies for college and job success.These skills includeresumebuilding,interview strategies, andSTEM career exploration to adequately prepare students for their next steps.
For more information on the 91Ƶ State My Sister’s Keeper program, please visit the My Sister's Keeper website.
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