Nearly 200 young women participated in Saturday’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Conference at Wallace Community College Selma.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. sponsored the conference, which brought in professionals from STEM fields to talk to girls from third to eighth grade.

Sorority alumnae chapter president Veronica Brown said the conference helps girls understand they have plenty of career choices.

“We recognize, nationally, women are underrepresented in the areas of science, math and technology,” Brown said. “We want to push our girls and encourage them to know they can do whatever they want to do. We want to increase the number of females represented in those areas.”

Brown thanked parents, the city of Selma and Wallace Community College Selma for their support of the conference and for all the presenters who lent their time and expertise.

One of the speakers, general surgeon Dr. Shawn Watts of Vaughan Regional Medical Center loaded a table with baskets of strawberries to lead students in a DNA experiment. She said she wants to foster a love of science in students.

“I want them to leave with a love and appreciation for science, and to have a positive outlook, as far as a positive career in science,” she said. “There’s so many opportunities out there for young minds.”

STEM chairperson Althelstein Johnson believes the program has reached its goal of creating interest in math and science.

“Each workshop is filled with eager, enthusiastic presenters, and eager learners,” she said.