Dear Great Explorations (GE) Volunteers, We would usually be sending out a hand-written note to each of you to express our great appreciation for the volunteer work that you did for Great Explorations. But this year, we have some pictures that we will post here soon, that are worth more than a thousand words! Whether you folded brochures, prepared packets, carried things in for presenters, staffed the volunteer table, helped with registration, carried signs, directed traffic, monitored hallways, helped in classrooms, helped with refreshments, provided first aid, or did a combination of the above; you contributed to the great success of Great Explorations 2009. This year 303 girls registered and 255 actually attended which beats our previous record in 2007 of 238 registrations and 215 actually attending. Hooray and thank you to all of you!!

GREAT EXPLORATIONS 2009
A math, science, and technology conference for girls in grades 5-8 and interested parents and educators.

DATE: Saturday, March 21, 2009
TIME: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Whitman College Campus in Walla Walla, WA
FEE: $5.00 per person; scholarships available.
Contact Carol at 525-3531 or pcmorgan@charter.net.

Pre-Registration Form
Great Explorations Announcement Poster
Spanish - Great Explorations Announcement Poster

New >> PowerPoint presentation available for download.
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You can download a viewer plug-in from MircoSoft here:
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PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Registration forms will be distributed through area schools in early February and online. Click HERE for Registration form . View the workshop description on the registrations form.

Printed copies will also be available the Y.W.C.A. Completed registration forms must be received by Wednesday, March 16, to allow time for workshop scheduling.

Workshops are for students only. A Parent/Educator program will run concurrently. Parental participation is not required but is encouraged. Interested parents/educators must also pre-register to attend. Click HERE for Registration form

Twenty -one diverse, hands-on, fun-filled WORKSHOPS are presented by area women who work in math, science and technology-related fields. Girls indicate six preferences on their registration form; workshops are assigned on a first registered, first served basis.

Note: girls wishing to be assigned to a workshop(s) with a friend must submit both registration forms TOGETHER Note your friend’s first and in the space provided.

PARENT/EDUCATOR PANEL DISCUSSION
This will run concurrently with the student workshops. This year’s panel discussion is The Economics of Education. Panel members representing education levels from middle school through college will discuss successful strategies for meeting the very real challenges in paying for higher education.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Finally, all meet in Cordiner Hall to hear Key Note Speaker Erika Marín-Spiotta, Environmental Scientist, postdoctoral researcher, University of California, Santa Barbara. Erica will present PEOPLE, COWS, AND CLIMATE, a lively and engaging look at her travels to Hawaii, the Brazilian Amazon, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico to study tropical forests and the soils below them.

Her love of the outdoors and curiosity about how humans have been changing their environment for thousands of years led her to study Biology and Political Science in college. As a research assistant, she fed ants, rode a mountain bike, and learned to dodge seed-throwing monkeys. In fall of 2009, she is excited to become a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she will continue to learn and teach students about the environment.

FOOD AND DRINK:
A healthy snack and beverage be provided mid-morning, between the second and third workshops.

CO-SPONSORS include the American Association of University Women (AAUW),
Walla Walla Public Schools, Whitman College, and the Walla Walla Y.W.C.A.

QUESTIONS?
Contact Carol at 525-3531 or pcmorgan@charter.net.



Spread the word by printing out this GREAT EXPLORATIONS 2009 announcement poster!
Here is the Spanish GREAT EXPLORATIONS 2009 poster.