On March 13th, 40 middle and high school girls and non-binary students from Centralia High School, Oakville School District, Olympia High School, and George Bush Middle School gathered at the Washington State Capitol for "Girls on the Hill: Where STEM Meets Government."

This inspiring event was part of the Washington State Women’s Commission’s (WSWC) Activate 3.8 Campaign, an initiative designed to improve the social well-being and economic growth of 3.8 million Washington women. As part of this campaign, the Pay Equity Messaging Tour travels across the state, creating opportunities for young students to explore careers in fields where women remain underrepresented.

By collaborating with Educational Service District 113 and bringing together elected officials and five different state agencies, Girls on the Hill provided students with a unique opportunity to meet and learn from women excelling in STEM-related careers within government. The event highlighted high-paying and growing career fields in and around Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Grays Harbor Counties.

A Day of Engagement and Inspiration

Morning Session: Meeting Washington Leaders

Students started their day by engaging with key government officials and policy leaders:

• Met Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck
• Engaged with State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, his Policy Director Richelle Geiger and Session Aide Ava Rea
• Learned from WSWC's policy advisor, Grace Huang
• Toured Governor Bob Ferguson’s office
• Connected with Senators Vandana Slatter and Tina Orwall

These sessions provided students with valuable insights into government leadership, policy-making, and advocacy, helping them see how STEM skills apply in public service careers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afternoon Session: Hands-On STEM Activities

Students rotated through five interactive sessions hosted by state employees from Washington State Patrol, the Department of Ecology, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Fish & Wildlife. These hands-on experiences allowed students to explore STEM  careers in action:

 

Eyes Under Puget Sound: Worms, Snails, and Sea Stars, Oh My!

Department of Ecology

• Marine Environmental Scientists Dany Burgess and Paul Larson led students in discovering the invertebrates living in Puget Sound's mud. Using microscopes, students examined worms, sea stars, snails, and crabs while learning how these creatures indicate environmental health.

H2WOAH: Dive into Water Quality

Department of Ecology

• Natalie Coleman (Ocean Acidification Scientist), Holly Young (Marine Monitoring Field Lead), and Chris Jendrey (Marine Monitoring Field Technician) guided students through a live demonstration of water quality sampling and salinity level analysis.

Germ City: The Science of Clean Hands

Department of Agriculture

• Dr. Luisa Castro (Assistant Director of Food Safety), Kelly McLain (Assistant Director & Policy Advisor), and Daleena Blair (Policy Assistant) led an engaging lesson on the science of handwashing, using interactive tools to demonstrate effective hygiene practices.

CSI Olympia: Mock Crime Lab

Washington State Patrol

• Forensic Scientists Carly Smith, Darlene Valencia, and Scarlett Nogales showcased crime lab techniques, giving students hands-on experience with evidence analysis from fields such as firearms, latent prints, DNA, and toxicology.

Making Waves: Problem Solving to Protect Endangered Orcas

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

• Julie Watson, Killer Whale Policy Lead, led a discussion on the impact of vessels on Southern Resident orcas, exploring ways to reduce human impact on these endangered whales.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Girls on the Hill was more than just a field trip—it was an empowering experience designed to ignite students’ curiosity, introduce them to new career paths, and connect them with inspiring women making a difference in their communities.

By showcasing STEM careers within government, this event demonstrated how science and policy intersect to shape Washington’s future.