As support for SMU’s chapter of Women In Science and Engineeringgrows, so does its impact on the Dallas community. In response tothis increasing influence, WISE has been nominated for the DallasCounty Volunteer Organization of the Year.
“To be nominated as a candidate for this award is an honor,”former WISE co-director Julie Gonzalez said. “All the organizationsthat are nominated perform wonderful works for the community andit’s fantastic to see WISE placed amongst them.”
The award is given out yearly by the Dallas County VolunteerCenter to individuals and organizations that help impact the Dallascommunity in positive yet often unsung ways. WISE as anorganization has been entered in the Youth category because itsleadership is composed of college students.
“This nomination is an important recognition of all the hardwork that its members and officers perform to create eachsuccessful event,” WISE faculty advisor Courtney Aberle said. “WISEhas created a unique link between SMU and the Dallas community andtheir hard work has affected the lives of many local children.”
WISE begins each year with a trip to the Dallas Zoo where itworks with Zoo directors and educators to provide a fun kickoff tolearning. While the kids work with zoo educators, the parents areinvited to this first event to learn about the planned events andask questions about the program.
“Its important to begin each year with a fun hands on event thatgirls can really enjoy,” WISE co-director Kawai Wong said. “We usethis time to not only create enthusiasm in the girls about learningbut get feedback from the parents about the previous year eventsand what they expect from our organization in the future.”
The heart of WISE is its five main events where it brings localfifth- and sixth-grade girls to campus. Once on campus, WISE workswith SMU faculty and professionals in the industry to give thegirls a first taste of the sciences. This year’s events includeengineering day, technology day, chemistry day, geology day and theever popular physics day.
“To truly be influential in these girls’ lives it takes hardwork and teamwork,” physics department chairman Fred Olness said.”For years, the officers of WISE have been working on developing acomprehensive program to promote education and this award reflectsthat their works have direct impact on these girls lives.”
The end of the WISE year is marked by a slumber party for thegirls at the Dallas Science Place. At the slumber party, the girlsget a unique opportunity to socially interact with the WISE mentorswhile learning about the different opportunities in science.
“The education that WISE provides isn’t just in the content ofthe events,” former WISE co-director Christina Leone said. “It’sthe leadership displayed by all the WISE mentors that the girls canlearn lasting life lessons from.”
The awards for Dallas County Volunteer Organization of the yearwill be in mid-March. Last year’s event was attended by 1,200people, the largest of its type in North Texas. Television coveragewill be provided by CBS. For more information about WISE, check outits Web site at http://people.smu.edu/wise. For more informationabout the Volunteer Center of Dallas see its Web site athttp://www.volunteernorthtexas.org.
