Weird to be back in Long Beach, California. I lived here between 1984 and 1991, under the private plane path to the landing strips. Now I’m deplaning at that very airport – though it has changed. Originally built in 1920, the art deco building I remembered is still here, it’s blue and white coloring reminiscent of the Pacific Ocean and the fog that cleared just as we landed. A new, modern terminal was built to the west with shops and an outdoor eating area. Baggage claim is still a carousel outside, but at least it’s covered.
The ride to Anaheim and WE19 conference was a cruise down memory lane, though not all of it fond. Mostly I remember that the LA area freeways are – overall – ugly and crowded. Nothing has changed.
I’m here to attend the Society of Women Engineers 2019 National Convention. Might even be international by now. I’ll have stats later, but besides being a lifetime member and Fellow, I’m here to pickup tips on how to encourage kids, and especially girls, to consider a STE< career.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) is all the rage these days, mainly because companies have figured out that a workforce lush with female voices is more profitable. See this article for more.
I’ll be posting as I go with interesting facts and ideas for middle grade and YA authors to mine for topics and approaches to write science-based fiction. If you have questions you’d like answered, I want to know! Comment here or on my FB page.
#WE19 #STEM
Linda G. Reed 