Female High Schoolers Get to the 'Heart' of Biomedical Engineering in U of A STEM Workshops

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High school girls from across Northwest Arkansas had a chance to explore biomedical engineering Saturday with a hands-on look at the cardiovascular system.

It wasn't quite Valentine's Day, but on Saturday, dozens of female students from across Northwest Arkansas gathered to hold hearts (not their own!) in their hands. Leading "The Heart of Biomedical Engineering" workshop at the University of Arkansas was Hanna Jensen, research assistant professor of biomedical engineering. For Jensen, the workshop was a chance to fight the notion that careers in medicine, engineering and other sciences aren't meant for girls.

"In this workshop we focused on the unique intersection of engineering and medicine that defines biomedical engineering," Jensen said. "We wanted to shed light on how engineers can have enormous impact in health care by, for example, designing and developing devices used to treat different forms of cardiovascular disease; such as coronary artery stents or replacement heart valves. Many of our students are also on a premedical track, and our program can give you an understanding of the biological, chemical, electrical, and mechanical processes in our body. In the workshop, we explored real hearts. Partially, we use this activity to debunk the myth that handling tissues is somehow unfeminine or 'gross.' The heart is a magnificent organ, and it is only when you can feel it in your hands, turn it over, and peek into the chambers, that you can truly appreciate the elegant 3D structure that propels blood to every inch of your body with 100,000 beats each day."

Raj Rao, head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, praised the program as a key component in preparing for the future of biomedical engineering.

"Given that the majority of our students are women, our department is committed to improving opportunities and services to the next generation of female students," Rao said. "It is exciting to note that many of these students will be the researchers driving the development of solutions for the many health issues that impact our society. I commend Dr. Jensen's efforts in this regard and in promoting the discipline in unique ways that combine fun and presenting information on significant biomedical issues."

Jensen's workshop was part of the Girls Just Wanna' Have Fun: STEM Fun That Is! Year 4 event hosted by University of Arkansas' STEM Center for Math and Science Education. During the event, the 9th to 12th grade girls in attendance were treated to a day filled with science, technology, engineering and mathematics, all designed to encourage their interest in STEM by improving STEM-related opportunities and services available to them, dismantling the stereotype that STEM fields are mainly for males, and inspiring the girls to pursue collegiate careers in STEM-related occupations.

Throughout the day, an all-female group of faculty and undergraduate volunteers from the university's colleges of education, arts and science, engineering, and agriculture provided sessions, tours and discussions for the visiting students.

Workshops offered included "Experiments with Nanomaterials for Water and Energy," "Careers in Food Science and Nutrition," "Macro-Fun with Microbits," "What Does It Mean to Be Human?," "The Elephant in the Room—An Introduction to Coding," and "The One: Being the Only Woman." Students were also treated to a keynote lunch presentation titled, "Dorothy McFadden Hoover: Hope's 'Hidden Figure.'"