Detroit Arsenal associates observe Women's History Month

By Bill Gattie, TACOM LCMC Public AffairsApril 17, 2013

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DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich -- The theme for the 2013 annual observance of Women's History Month, held March 13 at the Detroit Arsenal, was, "Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women In Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics." The guest speaker was Dr. Barbara Bolin, Executive Director of the Michigan Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Partnership, a public-private collaborative dedicated to creating a culture of cross-disciplinary education that results in a workforce skilled in STEM-related fields as well as problem solving, innovation, and creativity.

Mistress of Ceremonies Barbara Stallworth welcomed the audience and introduced Cornelius Strong, Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems, who sang the National Anthem, Lt. Col. Stephen P. DeMien, TACOM LCMC Command Chaplain, who delivered the invocation, and Timothy Tarczynski, Deputy Chief of Staff for Human Capital, G-1, TACOM LCMC, who introduced the guest speaker.

Bolin spoke about some of the things we can do to encourage more of our young women to prepare for careers in STEM-related fields, such as encouraging them to ask questions about the world around them and spending time with them to help them develop their creativity and problem solving skills. She pointed out that approximately 7,000 students drop out of American schools every day and that in many cases they do so not because of a lack of ability, but because they are bored. She asked audience members to help the STEM Partnership to carry out its mission by serving as role models and mentors for students and becoming more involved in their children's schools.

Following Bolin's presentation, TACOM LCMC Commander Maj. Gen. Michael J. Terry presented her with a two-star note.

Bolin has been a supporter of STEM initiatives for many years and is currently volunteering as the Lead Mentor for the FIRST robotics team at The Early College, a new program for high school students at Lansing Community College. She is the developer of the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC), creator of the associated CRC Consortium, and founder and president of the National Organization for Career Credentialing.

Bolin holds a BS in Mathematics and Science and a teaching degree from South Australia, a Masters Degree from the University of Texas, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Education from Texas A&M University. She began her professional career as a mathematics and science teacher in high schools in Australia. After moving to the United States in 1983, she taught mathematics, mathematics education, and statistics at Tyler Junior College, the University of Texas at Tyler, and Texas A&M. She recently joined the adjunct faculty at Northwood University where she teaches mathematics and statistics, and also teaches at Lansing Community College, where she is a math professor and business trainer.