October 31, 2001

Project pushes math, science

By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
       More than 250 eighth-grade girls from area schools spent Monday discovering how math and science can play a major role in a career that they may eventually choose to pursue. Zonta's Project 100 brought the girls together with professional women who use math and science in their own careers.
      Project 100, a program sponsored by the Traverse City Zonta Club, targets eighth-grade girls in an effort to keep them interested in math and science.
      Keynote speaker Susan Martin, an eighth-grade science teacher at Boyne City Middle School, set the tone for the day by sharing stories of her trek to the North Pole with WomenQuest last April.
      Martin, along with 11 other women, made the 120 mile cross country ski trip in temperatures averaging minus 30. The women, between the ages of 27 and 51, spent nine days overcoming daily challenges of frost bite and exhaustion before becoming the first team of women to reach the North Pole departing from Russia.
      "We were 12 ordinary women, good athletes but not super ones, and we did it," said Martin.
      "People's potential is unlimited and I think we tap very little of it. You are all young women on your way to great things."
      Other women who shared their career experiences with the students included veterinarians, construction managers, nurses, geologists, graphic designers, fire fighters, architects, wetland biologists and a Michigan State Police canine handler accompanied by her dog, Zeus.
      Zeus, who is trained to track people and uncover narcotics, impressed the girls by searching out illegal substances planted around the room by trooper Kris McPhall. Trooper McPhall explained that she and Zeus receive weekly training, keeping them up-to-date on the most current procedures.
      Veterinarian Jan Cerro demonstrated various tools used in her profession such as files to grind down horse teeth. She also explained that she uses science and math every single day of her career, whether it be to determine the dose of medication an animal should receive or the knowledge of physiology required to perform surgery.
      "Science courses give you many more career choices, they can lead you on a variety of paths." Cerro noted.
      That variety was somewhat of a surprise to East Junior High student Megan Miles.
      "I didn't know that there were so many occupations dealing with science and math, this was a very worthwhile experience."
      Yuliya Paschak, a student at West Junior High, shared that sentiment. "Today was awesome. I would really love to be a doctor one day."
      Noting that success is achieved through pursuing ones desires, Martin ended her presentation quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" adding "find a beautiful dream and hang on to it."