Six junior and senior girls from Pattonville High School recently attended a Women in Engineering Conference at Boeing.

The field trip was led by Susan Mathis, who teachers math, aerospace engineering and digital electronics at the high school, and was designed to educate and encourage female students interested in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) career.

While at the conference, students had the opportunity to fly an F/A-18 flight simulator; see an autonomous Jeep Cherokee and “drive” the Jeep with a controller and laptop; complete a hands-on engineering activity; and meet with current Boeing engineers and Missouri University of Science and Technology college students about career experiences.

Students were also given a hands-on robot activity to make and take home. Students who attended the conference were Paige Bateman, Asia Devine, Anjali Fernandes, Christine Gardner, Kelsi Hughes and Lauren Robinson.

Cutline (PHSboeingtrip2012.jpg) - The group from Pattonville High School who ventured to Boeing for the Women in Engineering Conference are pictured around an F/A-18 flight simulator they were able to test out. Shown are, from left, Lauren Robinson, Christine Gardner, Asia Divine, teacher Susan Mathis, Anjali Fernandes (at the controls), Kelsi Hughes and Paige Bateman.