Delighting in an underwater diver in a 235,000-gallon habitat, turning on a light bulb by touching your nose or feeling the carapace of a sea turtle are all experiences at the annual Femme in STEM event hosted by the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The 5th Annual Femme in STEM Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. continues to be a favorite for both exhibitors and visitors. In 2023, 21 organizations participated with 80 individual exhibitors engaging with 1,800 visitors at the Aquarium.
For the Aquarium, it is important for young girls to see someone like themselves in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields. Research shows that starting around middle school, girls start losing interest in science and other STEM subjects. Femme in STEM showcases the variety of STEM fields or career paths and visitors interact with people working in those fields.
