About 300 third-grade girls across Lynwood Unified were empowered to dream big and explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics during the District’s Girls STEM Conference on April 25 — an inspiring annual event designed to spark curiosity and build confidence in the next generation of women leaders.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome and dynamic keynote presentations from current and former Lynwood Unified students pursuing STEM careers, including Allyana Magallanes, a senior at Lynwood High School who plans to study aerospace engineering.
“I used to hear that I shouldn’t be in engineering because I’m a girl, but then I reassured myself that I am capable of doing the same thing as anyone else, if not better,” Magallanes said. “I love engineering, and I am not going to let anyone stop me.”
Students were immersed in a lively setting with colorful balloon arches, STEM-themed posters, and videos spotlighting influential women in the field, encouraging girls to follow their dreams.
They then rotated through engaging, hands-on activity stations led by high school career technical education students, exploring careers by practicing CPR on infant manikins, coding robots, examining insects under microscopes, and powering a fan with wires and a battery.
“My favorite part of the STEM conference so far has been seeing them make the robot move,” Wilson Elementary third-grader Jeslyn Rodriguez said. “I love math and problem solving and would like to become a doctor one day to help others. After today, I feel like I can do anything.”
The Girls STEM Conference is part of Lynwood Unified’s ongoing commitment to advancing equity in education, providing female students with access to meaningful STEM experiences and encouraging them to pursue their passions with confidence.