The Fleet Science Center and SDG&E teamed up recently to inspire the next generation of female scientists. On a beautiful Saturday, a dozen middle and high school girls from the Fleet Center’s BE WiSE program (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering) had the opportunity to learn about science careers and restoration ecology from some of our field experts.
Led by Katie Speirs, SDG&E vice president of electric system operations who serves on the BE WiSE board, our female employees shared their experience of pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics—also known as STEM. Female scientists from AECOM, RECON Environmental Inc., and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also shared their college and career highlights.
The girls spent part of their day in the field learning about basic ecological principles and sampling methodologies for habitat restoration. Working side by side, the students and scientists conducted vegetation observations at the D Street Fill in National City, a restoration site owned and maintained through a collaboration between SDG&E and the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The restoration effort is contributing to the recovery of endangered species like the California Least Tern and presented a great opportunity for students to experience the science behind habitat restoration.
It’s experiences like these that we promote through our Inspiring Future Leaders initiative, which seeks to cultivate the next generation of innovators who will lead the way in clean energy, clean transportation, and environmental sustainability.