Expanding Your Horizons Workshop

Expanding Your Horizons: 
STEM Day

Saturday, November 2, 2024 • Wichita State University • Hubbard Hall

About

The Expanding Your Horizons Conference hosted by Wichita State University is a one-day event that introduces middle school girls to a variety of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas. Attendees will meet STEM role models, participate in hands-on activities, and learn more about careers in those fields. This conference is hosted in partnership with the Expanding Your Horizons Network, Spirit Aerosystems, Boeing, Evergy, Airbus and WSU Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Registration is FREE this year and includes three interactive workshops, lunch, and a WSU gift bag for all who pre-register by October 28th!

Register Online now Hubbard Hall Directions

Prefer to mail or fax your registration? Use the forms below.

Agenda

Parents’ Session (optional)

Topics covered will include financing college, college expectations related to preparation during middle school and high school, and the process of applying to colleges, including taking the ACT, test prep, college visits, application essays, scholarships, and more. Consider taking an optional WSU campus tour after the event!

Workshop information

Each EYH workshop is unique, fun and taught by local STEM professionals. Workshop space is limited. Students will be sorted into small groups for the hands on workshops at the start of the event. Each participant will get to experience three different STEM-themed workshops. See the list of EYH Workshops.

Women in STEM Panel

Heidi Bell, Ph.D.

Heidi Bell, Ph.D., is Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Human Performance Studies, and Manager of the Human Performance Laboratory at Wichita State University. Her research in clinical exercise physiology and orofacial myology has drawn international recognition and been showcased on NPR’s Science Friday with Ira Flatow.

Over the past 30+ years she has developed a systematic and interdisciplinary network conducting collaborative research focused on exercise physiology, orofacial myology, neurocognition, biomechanics and functional performance.

Dr. Bell has led and published FDA regulated product validation and test-retest reliability research, in addition to, physiological, neurocognitive and functional performance work.

Her entrepreneurial background has further led to three start-up companies, development of several products, secured intellectual property, and established a platform to mentor students aspiring to be the next generation of researchers.

Dana Carron

Dana Carron, Lead Storm Warning Meteorologist with AccuWeather graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 2021, and immediately got a job as a meteorologist at AccuWeather here in Wichita. She’s been extremely interested in severe weather her whole life, so this is exactly where she wanted to be.

At AccuWeather, she quickly climbed the ranks becoming the youngest Lead Meteorologist in the company's history, and last year she won an award for outstanding performance within AccuWeather. Her day-to-day duties include forecasting impactful weather, watching the radar across the country, issuing severe weather warnings for our clients.

In addition to those responsibilities, she also work as Shift Coordinator 2-3 days a week on average which makes me "in charge" of operations and shift responsibilities for the most part. Her other duties include collaborating with their headquarters in State College, PA, discovering and attending outreach events, and verifying some of our office's forecast and warning "wins".

Outside of work, she enjoy spending time with my dog who she named after the famous storm chaser Reed Timmer!

Dr. Manjula Koralegedara

Dr. Manjula Koralegedara is originally from Sri Lanka and earned a Ph. D. In Chemistry from Wichita State University in 2010.

Manjula is currently working at the McPherson college and is the chair of the Natural Science Department which includes Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Biology Majors.

Her major interests include Green Chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry and Chemistry Outreach.

Dr. Koralegedara is also currently the chair of the American Chemical Society Wichita Local Section.

Mehnaz Tabassum, Ph.D.

Mehnaz Tabassum, Ph.D. is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Wichita State University.

She holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Her research focuses on areas such as vehicular communication, vehicular networking, signal processing, and wireless communication.

Megan Corwell

My name is Meghan Corwell. I have been a scientist at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. in the Materials and Process Engineering Organization for 7 years. I was on the Metals M&PE team for a few years; I’m currently on the Chemicals and Finishes M&PE team.

Before working at Spirit, I was a geoscientist at Chesapeake Energy (now Expand Energy Corporation) and Mull Drilling Company. I currently serve on Spirit’s Six Sigma Steering Committee, and I am a SPEEA committee member on the Membership Activities Committee, the Leadership Development and Training Committee, and the Contract Action Team. I have a B.S. and an M.S. in physical sciences from Wichita State University.

While attending WSU, I served as the president for various college organizations including the WSU Geology Club and the AAPG Student Chapter, and I was also on the WSU Cheer Squad. I decided to go back to college for a second masters degree; I am currently enjoying Newman University’s MBA Data Analytics program (ECD 2025).

I enjoy volunteering at the Wichita Open, Habitat for Humanity, and serving as a judge for various STEM competitions in the spring such as the Kansas Science and Engineering Fair and VEX Robotics. I'm a huge bookworm. I enjoy cooking, baking, golfing, recreational sports, financial planning, and spending time with my husband and children.

Thank you Sponsors!

Registration Questions & More Information

For questions regarding your registration or the registration process, please contact Dr. Moriah Beck at (316) 978-5476 or moriah.beck@wichita.edu.

Directions

Enter campus at Yale Ave. entrance off of 21st Street. Park in any lots near Hubbard Hall. For a map of Accessible parking and paths to Hubbard Hall, please visit the Hubbard Hall Accessibility Enhancements webpage. 

Parents/family can stay for panel and parent’s session and should return at 2:30 pm to pick-up participants and attend optional campus tour.

Special Accommodations

Wichita State University is committed to making programs available to people with disabilities. If you wish to volunteer information regarding any special assistance you may need, please contact Moriah Beck at (316) 978-5476 or moriah.beck@wichita.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Wichita State University does not discriminate in its employment practices, educational programs or activities on the basis of age (40 years or older), ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran. Retaliation against an individual filing or cooperating in a complaint process is also prohibited. Sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking are forms of sex discrimination and are prohibited under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Complaints or concerns related to alleged discrimination may be directed to the  Institutional Equity and Compliance Director, Title IX Coordinator or Equal Opportunity Coordinator, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260, telephone (316) 978-3187.