Wichita State University will host the Educational Opportunity Association's National Girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Conference Friday-Sunday, May 20-22.

The conference is for high school and college age women who participate in college access and success programs such as TRIO and GEAR UP.

Participants will engage in applied learning and hands-on STEM workshops and take part in mentoring activities with women employed in STEM careers. They will also explore career and research options for women and celebrate the STEM Girls Rock movement, which works to inspire girls ages 9-10 to engage in beginning engineering activities.

Nearly 20 different workshops featuring coding, physics, chemistry, engineering and science will be accompanied by keynote addresses from leaders in STEM. Jedidah Isler, award-winning astrophysicist, TED Fellow and STEM education advocate, will speak, as well as Makeda Ricketts, founder and CEO of PinkThink, which creates games and products that make STEM education more engaging for girls.

The conference will end with a Girls Rock Rally to celebrate and inspire girls in STEM.

The event is presented by Spirit AeroSystems and sponsors include Westar Energy and Wichita State.

To learn more about the event, go to http://bit.ly/1OiydHs.