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Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment hosts its first STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) conference for young women and girls from under-represented backgrounds this month.

The Educate to Innovate conference will feature interactive STEAM workshops and activities, keynote addresses from female STEAM trailblazers, live music performances and swag bags. Lunch will be provided.

Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, executive director of the Jean Augustine Centre, said the STEAM conference is a natural evolution of the centre’s work.

The Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment (JAC) is an Etobicoke-based registered charity committed to building the self-esteem and self-worth of young women and girls by positively influencing their life outlook, broadening their horizons, and helping them to empower themselves.

“Over the past six years, JAC has been championing our young participants in STEAM through our various after-school programs, workshops and camps,” Asiedu-Akrofi said in a statement. “This year, we are excited to combine all these opportunities into one interactive event for female children and youth across the Greater Toronto Area and Halton.”

There will be two conferences: one for young women aged 13 to 17, and another for girls aged seven to 12. The young women’s conference takes place on Saturday, June 11, while the girls’ conference will be held Saturday, June 18. Both conferences take place at the Design Exchange at 234 Bay St. in downtown Toronto.

Hackergal, a charitable organization that inspires girls across Canada to explore opportunities in code, will participate in the conference.

“The event is about bringing together young women in a safe space to build their own community and networks,” Kumiko Imai, director of education with Hackergal, said in a statement. “Community makes such a big difference — that’s what will empower more young women to pursue STEAM fields and imagine their incredible potential.”

Tickets for the event are $20 each and are available on Eventbrite. The centre is providing a limited number of sponsored tickets. Those interested in a sponsored ticket may email info@jeanaugustinecentre.ca or call 416-253-9797.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a ticket may do so on the shop page of the centre’s website jeanaugustinecentre.ca.

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