Females excel in male-dominated fields

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

High school students Brandi Robinson, left, and April Barnes, right, and teacher Lynn Davis were honored last week for their involvement in science, math, engineering and technology during MTSU’s Breakfast with Champions. (Photo provided)

Two local students and a teacher were honored for their interest in science, technology, engineering and math during the third annual Breakfast with Champions held at MTSU last week.

Recognized were Warren County High School students April Barnes and Brandi Robinson and high school math teacher Lynn Davis.

Breakfast with Champions began in 2002 as a way to honor outstanding female students and teachers in the traditionally male-dominated subjects of science, technology, engineering and math. In all, 30 students and 14 teachers from 15 area high schools were honored this year.

The event was co-sponsored by the College of Basic and Applied Sciences and National Women’s History Month.

Breakfast with Champions was brought to MTSU by Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, associate professor of chemistry, who recently helped charter a Women in Science and Engineering organization.

“We want females to see that women can have a fulfilling career in science, math, engineering or technology,” she said. “We’re slowly making cracks in the glass ceiling that is holding women back in these areas.”

The honorees were treated to a breakfast at the university, during which time they heard remarks from the event’s guest speaker, Dr. Kaylene Gebert, MTSU’s executive vice president and provost.