Role models at the Aerospace Museum of California “We can Do it Together” open days include education administrator Linda Martin (left), Dr Kawanaa Carter (center) Dolly Parton (in effigy), pilot Zahra Hosseini and education specialist Karla Rojas.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - More than 1200 teenage girls last week flocked to the Aerospace Museum of California’s annual 'We Can Do It Together' open days.

Free to middle school and high school students, the event introduces young women to options in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) careers. In six years, more than 6000 girls have attended.

The date coincided with national appreciation for the late Dolly Parton, whose Imagination Library loaned a larger-than-life cutout of the star. “Dolly’s people told us this was an event she would have loved,” said Museum Advancement Director Karen Jones.  “We thank Dolly for inspiring us to be life-long readers."

A jet engine display gets a thumbs-up from Twin Rivers Unified School District students at the Aerospace Museum’s expo for young women. 

Other open-day opportunities included meeting mentors from STEAM fields.  Architects, aviators and women making waves in energy, medicine and construction fields discussed their careers.

Neuro-surgeon Dr. Kawanaa Carter said she grew up with a love of medicine fueled by her drive to help children. “I wanted to be useful,” said Carter. “I never wanted to be bored, so it’s great my career allows me to practice medicine, to teach, to operate and do research.”

The surgeon told girls how STEAM capability was everywhere in their day-to-day activities. Food preparation, she explained, was about chemistry. Household budgeting required math. “Choosing makeup that suits your face - that's science,” Carter told the girls.  “We take our use of science for granted. Don’t say you can’t do it. It is already inside you.”

Trainee pilot Zahra Hosseini (seated right) shares career advice with Twin Rivers District students.

The teens had free range of museum exhibits, including artifacts from the early years of flight. They also got handy in STEAM-based activities: making solar system bracelets, paper airplanes and wind turbines.

The expo this year saluted Dolly Parton as an example of what can be achieved through hard work and mentorship.

“We want girls to know they can be anything they want to be,” said Museum Director Karen Jones. “Dolly Parton said that when girls follow their dreams, the sky was the limit.  We tell young people the limit is the sky and far beyond it. We want them to aim high and dream big.”

Event supports included: SMUD, Carmichael Kiwanis, San Juan and Twin Rivers School Districts; SAFE Credit Union and County Supervisors Rich Desmond and Phil Serna. Learn about Museum events at www.aerospaceCA.org