Orbital ATK’s Dulles, Virginia campus recently hosted more than 200 girls from grades 5-12, along with their chaperones, for the “Sharing our Success” event. During the event, the students had the opportunity to learn about the aerospace industry as well as interact with several local high school robotics teams and other science and technology related hands-on offerings.
"Sharing Our Success" is offered through the Women in Technology’s (WIT's) Girls in Technology (GIT) Committee and is sponsored by the WIT Foundation. The event provides girls interested in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) the opportunity to learn networking skills, experience STEAM-related demonstrations, interact with and hear from professional women and like-minded students.
The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Sandra Magnus, Executive Director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and former NASA astronaut.
“Orbital ATK remains dedicated to supporting and initiating programs designed to create awareness, excitement, educate and inspire girls prior to college age to the vast array of opportunities available to women in STEAM fields,” said Elizabeth Mashakas, Director of Recruiting and Systems for Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group. “This is just one of the many outreach activities made possible through the continued support and efforts of the dedicated members of our own EPIC (Emerging Professionals Investing in Careers) group who provide mentoring and invaluable insight that make this type of outreach truly successful.”
In addition to Orbital ATK, 18 other vendors and companies attended the event and hosted interactive tables. Some of those in attendance included: Ashburn Robotics, Northern Virginia Community College, Geospatial Technology Department, Udvar Hazy National Air & Space Museum, and the Children’s Science Center.
More than 200 girls from grades 5-12 attended the "Sharing Our Success" event
at Orbital ATK's Dulles campus.
Sandy Magnus speaks to a group of students during "Sharing Our Success."
Orbital ATK volunteers and members of the EPIC group pose for a photo with speaker Sandy Magnus. Pictured here, left to right: Casey Crough, Devon Bracken, Emily Minehart, Cassie Nelson, Sandy Magnus, and Elizabeth Mashakas.