Energize the power in you! Ornaments of Grace and Virtue Annual Girls in STEAM Conference

BY PAUL JUNOR

Founded by Olubusola Kolade, OGAV is passionate about advancing girl’s education to bridge the digital gender equity gap in education, and to help become and remain independent, responsible and productive young women in society.

They are planning a Girls in STEAM conference with the theme “Energizing the power in you” geared towards young girls on Saturday, March 2^nd, 2024, at the South Common Community Centre in Mississauga.

The mission of OGAV is to develop independent, responsible young girls through character building, mentorship, and acquisition of knowledge, skills and ethics needed to thrive in the 21^st century global economy. The vision of OGAV is to nurture and empower girls (using a holistic approach) to become leading young women of society and in turn impact the community positively. The core value of OGAV is, “Education is key to transformation.” The focus areas are:

Career Guidance

Students are able to identify their career options such as STEM-related career paths by defining their abilities, skills and interests using the self-assessment tools and receive suggestions on occupations matching their profile. Students have a chance to explore and choose a thriving career under mentorship from experienced professionals.

Skill Development

Through weekly virtual meetings, girls are introduced to the essential skills (technological, academic, and social) needed to thrive in the 21^st century.

Academic Success

It is designed to provide a holistic view of a girl’s ability to succeed. OGAV is committed to supporting and enhancing young students’ learning and to providing the skills they need to become lifelong learners. It takes a combination of skills —academic skills and social skills.

Leadership Development

By fostering sister relationships between mentors and girls, OGAV empowers girls to develop leadership skills. OGAV achieves its values through the following initiatives:

• “Empowerment Learning Series,” and “Learning Beyond the Classroom”
• Virtual Girls Hangout Sessions – Weekly Life Coaching program
• STEM Coding Club – Weekly program
• STEM Summer Camp
• Career Exploration Fair
• Scholarship Program
• Cyber-safety Workshops
• Mother-Daughter Event: A celebration of International Women’s Day that serves as a leadership event for young women and girls.

OGAV’s annual Girls in STEAM Conference aims to inspire and empower high school and middle school girls aged 14 to 17 in the Greater Toronto Area (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon). This conference is designed to prepare girls for careers in the 21^stcentury global economy by inspiring and encouraging girls to be empowered to explore and pursue careers in STEAM fields.

This event aims to provide an inclusive space for learning and inspiration as they explore and discover the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

The goals and objectives of this STEAM conference include:

• Create awareness and address the imbalance in the underrepresentation of women in STEM/STEAM
• Empower young minds to become future innovators capable of addressing complex challenges.
• Pave the way for a more diverse and equitable workforce.
• Explore and choose a thriving career under mentorship from experienced professionals.
• Unlock potential by embracing personal growth, cultivating a positive mindset, and developing strong character traits.

Through: keynote speakers, workshops, and discussion participants will gain insights into STEM/STEAM and develop essential skills. The overall goal is to instill confidence and resilience in girls, preparing them for the challenges of pursuing STEM/STEAM education and careers.

Registration for the conference can be made using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/806064660097/