New Non-Profit Debuts Workshop for Gay Students in the STEM Fields

Online, March 1, 2011 (Newswire.com) - This past weekend, STEM students at the University of Michigan were treated to the first presentation made by a new non-profit corporation: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Incorporated (oSTEM, Inc). The principal mission of the organization is to educate and develop STEM students who identify with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied (LGBTQA) communities.

With sponsorship from both Northrup Grumman and Microsoft, the National Board of oSTEM addressed an eager audience at the Midwest BLGTA College Conference 2011, where several local oSTEM chapters were in attendance. During their workshop, STEM students from over 20 Universities heard career advice, participated in collaborative projects, and acquired valuable tools to bring back to their respective schools. The audience included college students from over 25 majors and a variety of underrepresented backgrounds. After the 90-minute session, the Board received considerable positive feedback, complete with a few conference Twits and oSTEM hashtags (#oSTEM).

Throughout the remainder of the weekend, the National Board spoke to hundreds of students from across the country. In addition to providing on-the-spot mentoring and handing out promotional material, the Board acquired almost 100 members for the Board's first mailing list. Like the workshop, their exhibitor booth was hugely successful, and a significant number of attendees expressed excitement for an organization that focused on STEM disciplines for LGBTQA students. After the conference, many students quickly set out to bring local oSTEM chapters to their own campuses.

For further information regarding Out in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Incorporated, visit oSTEM's website at www.ostem.org.