These students were among the 3,000 girls from ninth to 12th grade who attended SheTech Explorer Day, an event designed to introduce girls to the world of technology in a fun, engaging atmosphere. During the event, they had the opportunity to meet STEM role models and discover a wide array of opportunities in the field.

Throughout the morning, girls from high schools across the state participated in more than 40 workshops focused on topics such as programming, engineering, aerospace, robotics, product invention, entrepreneurship, biomedicine, digital marketing, web design and gaming.

In addition, they had the chance to experience the interactive TechZone, where local STEM companies and educational institutions provided opportunities to learn about internships, programs and industry experiences.

The day wrapped up with a collaborative small group exercise in which the girls worked together to brainstorm, innovate and pitch solutions in a TechChallenge, all while being guided by industry mentors.

Students learned about the event through fliers posted at schools, emails from counselors or by hearing from teachers in various classes ranging from interior design to computer science to manufacturing technology.

Hailey Derr, a ninth grader at Cottonwood High in Murray, wanted to explore biomedical engineering careers, so she visited her career center and discovered the event was a good opportunity. She’s already planning to take medical terminology and medical math next year.

Reagan Fairchild, a ninth grader from Sunset Ridge, was learning “how they keep patients safe during surgery and other cool things in the medical field” as she explored the TechZone.

Sydney Birk from Draper Park Middle School had just finished astronaut training.

Sydney Birk from Draper Park Middle School took part of virtual reality astronaut training during SheTech Explorer Day. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

“I was clicking a button to spawn an object and grab it or flick it to a target; if I hit the target, it gave a score,” she said. “It was fun. I want to be an astronaut and this is better than online simulations.”

Rylee Blackwell from Hidden Valley Middle School in Bluffdale was trying out Alexa glasses.

“I like how you can hear music and nobody else can,” she said. “I was in my own little world while there’s so many people here. It was relaxing.”

Retired electrical engineer Shari Mann demonstrated how to use the Alexa glasses with built-in microphones, offering a hands-free experience.

“I'm really passionate about inspiring girls to go into engineering,” she said. “I like how excited the girls are to try on the Alexa glasses and not just learn how they work, but understand it.”

Mann’s father encouraged her to pursue engineering back when there were “just a handful of females studying engineering” at the University of Texas in the late 1980s. She has since programmed microchips and holds patents in the field.

“I always say, engineers invent the world, and we need all different kinds of people represented in inventing this world; it’s a great career and it’s been fun,” Mann said.

Jenny Curtis, Jordan School District’s work-based learning assistant, said the opportunity is incredible for girls.

“It’s cool, just to see all of these industries here, providing support and information and bringing all of these wonderful, mostly ladies, in tech,” she said. “It’s an amazing opportunity for girls to see what's happening in the field.”

Eileen Kasteler, Brighton High’s work-based learning facilitator, has brought students to the event for years and appreciates the event’s accessibility.

“It’s astonishing that a professional event of this caliber is free to girls year after year,” she said. “I like how the student ambassadors greet new girls, making it personal and welcoming.”

Gretel Diederich, a junior at Alta High in Sandy, completed her first year on the SheTech student board.

“I like the program and wanted to keep it going, so I thought the best way was to be an ambassador and support it,” she said. “I like exploring the booths and love talking to all the people to learn about all the programs I don’t know about. I also really love the girls. I made friends two years ago, and I still talk to them when I see them here. It says a lot about the SheTech community and the people.”

She was joined by her sister, freshman Leslie, who appreciated the event's schedule of workshops, and Alta High junior Audrey Semler, who was enjoying engaging with industry experts and participants.

“I love the energy here; everyone is having fun and it’s easy to talk to everyone,” she said. “I learned about different organizations for internships and college programs and scholarships.”

Kaitlin White, a freshman from Brighton, was eager to explore the booths at the TechZone, where girls could try several interactive activities as well as sample a new Coca-Cola flavor to checking out a Cybertruck. They could even test angular momentum.

“I find STEM stuff interesting, and I want to learn what I can do in the future in a tech career,” she said. “I also want to be a sci fi author so this definitely helps with that.”

Near the area where robotic cars were being driven, Riverview Junior High ninth-grade students Lexie Nelson and Aubrey Clayton were experimenting with InstaSnow.

“There's so many more careers than I thought there would be here; it’s awesome,” Clayton said.

Nelson added: “It’s all fun; I love the women empowerment.”