STEAM Like A Girl

STEAM Like A Girl - STEM Showcase.

All girls ages 10-14 are invited to STEAM Like a Girl STEM Showcase, for an exciting STEM showcase featuring women who work in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Through interactive activities and real-world challenges, participants will have the opportunity to learn directly from women in STEM, explore new interests, ask questions and discover just how far their curiosity and creativity can take them!

This inspiring event is designed to empower young women to explore futures in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) while building confidence and practical career skills. Participants will hear directly from a panel of influential women working in STEM fields, gaining insight into real career pathways, challenges, and successes.

Thursday, February 11th | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Duneland Family YMCA Healthy Living Campus – 651 W. Morgan Ave. Chesterton, IN 46304 

What to Expect:

  • Fun, hands-on STEM activities
  • Opportunities to meet and learn from women in STEM careers
  • Exciting takeaways and real-world discoveries
  • A special event T-shirt
  • Plenty of inspiration, creativity and fun!
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

MEET THE PANEL SPEAKERS

Dr. Julie Peller is an environmental chemist and Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University. She studies contaminants in water and soil and over the past several years has been focusing on the chemistry of micro and nanoplastics in water. Dr. Peller is a member of the Northern Lake County Environmental Partnership, a group of scientists and community partners who are analyzing contaminants in the communities overburdened by pollution. In addition to scientific publications, Dr. Peller has written a number of educational materials to increase awareness about plastics and their ubiquitous presence in water. She is the Executive Director for the Plastic Reduction Alliance, a nonprofit working to spread awareness about the plastic crisis and encouraging organizations across the board to reduce plastics.

Dr. Julie Peller is an environmental chemist and Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University. She studies contaminants in water and soil and over the past several years has been focusing on the chemistry of micro and nanoplastics in water. Dr. Peller is a member of the Northern Lake County Environmental Partnership, a group of scientists and community partners who are analyzing contaminants in the communities overburdened by pollution.

In addition to scientific publications, Dr. Peller has written a number of educational materials to increase awareness about plastics and their ubiquitous presence in water. She is the Executive Director for the Plastic Reduction Alliance, a nonprofit working to spread awareness about the plastic crisis and encouraging organizations across the board to reduce plastics.

Nicole Pomeroy is a Manufacturing Engineer at Hitachi Global Air Power (Sullair).  She was born and raised in Michigan City Indiana; after graduating from MCHS in 2017 she went on to get her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Valparaiso University.  During college, she served on the executive board for the VU chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and has maintained her national membership for almost 10 years now.  After graduating, she got her first job at Parker Hannifin as a Manufacturing Engineer at a location contract manufacturing medical devices.  After almost two years at Parker, she changed jobs and started working at Hitachi in their sheet metal fabrication shop.  She now spends her workdays programming lasers, punches, brake presses, and designing/optimizing manufacturing lines.  Recently, Nicole was named the 2026 Overall Up & Coming Woman of the Year by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA). This award honors emerging female leaders who are making a significant impact within their organizations and industries.

Outside of work she lives in Valparaiso with her husband and two cats.  She loves reading, being outside, and all forms of art.  She has over 100+ house plants and converted a large section of her lawn into a native pollinator garden.  In her free time she makes stained glass pieces that include windows, suncatchers, and 3D flowers.