Marian volunteers at Indianapolis American Heart Association event

Marian University was one of several participants in the American Heart Association’s second annual Go Red Goes STEM and SKILLED summit for female high school freshmen who are interested in STEM fields. Over 60 students from five local high schools participated to receive hands-on experience in the wonderful world of STEM and SKILLED trades and learn from established women who are paving the way in STEM and SKILLED trades right here in Indianapolis.

Students were able to attend five unique breakout sessions in STEM and SKILLED field trades, including agricultural technology, aviation/engineering, industrial design, infrastructure, and medical.

Representing the ‘M’ in STEM for medical, a team of Marian University faculty members taught students about cardiology. To exemplify women can be successful in the STEM field, seven female professors attended to interact with the female high school students. Marian professors taught students what it is like to work in a clinical cardiology setting by working with an EKG machine. This experiential learning process allows the students to put themselves in the shoes of a clinical lab technician who work inside a lab setting on a daily basis.

“Research shows it is important for students to see professionals who look like them active in the careers they want to pursue. It makes the dream of becoming that profession a reality,” says Loren Bertocci, Ph.D., program director of exercise and sports science. “We participate in this summit to show these girls that they can become a scientist, doctor, engineer, or whatever it is they want to be.”