Apply to Exhibit: 2020 STEM Industry Expo
March 7, 2020 | 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
MTSU Student Union Building
The Play Like a Girl Summit – Industry Expo highlights converging industries leading innovation in Nashville and across the world and engages Summit attendees in experiential STEM education and career mentoring, hosting a diverse range of forward-thinking exhibitors ranging from promising startups to established industry leaders.
Interested in being a part of the most exciting STEM exhibition in Nashville this Women’s History Month? Then look no further than the Play Like a Girl Summit – Industry Expo. Unlike similar exhibitions, the Play Like a Girl Industry Expo is rooted in industry-led activations across converging industries intersecting STEM. Each activation is staffed by two industry professionals—ideally, women. In the afternoon after the Expo closes, these women join Summit attendees for lunch and the keynote presentation and, later, serve as mentors to groups of 8 girls challenged to pitch a tech-driven solution to a social problem impacting girls and women worldwide.
The Industry Expo is open to innovative businesses and organizations including but not limited to the following categories: startups, female founders, content creators, lifestyle technology, marketing, manufacturing, design and innovation, robotics, hardware and software, gaming, esports, security and cyber security, social impact, sports technology, VR/AR/MR, online media, health and fitness, music technology, artist services and food technology.
For more info, visit iplaylikeagirl.org/summit. If you’d like to join in on the fun, please contact us at [email protected].
APPLY TO EXHIBIT
The Industry Expo is comprised of several immersive, key components, including the Meet the Scientist Experience, STEM Program Hub and College Fair.
Meet the Scientist
Meet the Scientist draws inspiration from converging industries that span the focus of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) plus arts, research and so much more. These exhibitions showcase inventive, emerging cross-industry technology, allowing students to personally meet real-life role models in STEM and engage in hands-on activities with a business product or service through live experiments, demonstrations and book signings.
STEM Program Hub
The STEM Program Hub features high-quality STEM education programs, a space to learn about industry-supported camps and internships, and the chance to connect with fellow attendees. Whether attendees are seeking info about educational opportunities or need a quick recharge, the Hub is the place to be.
College Fair
Summit attendees will visit the College Fair for casual networking with students and institutional representatives from a wide range of STEM disciplines and departments at some of Tennessee’s leading non-profit colleges and universities. Participating institutions will share details about scholarships and other opportunities to support students’ career interests in STEM.
The Industry Expo will include a live DJ and projected films. Each Meet the Scientist booth includes the following equipment:
- 2 – Plastic Contour Chairs
- 1 – 6’L x 24”W x 30”H Skirted Table
- 1 – Identification Sign with Company Name
Movie Q&A: Meet 'Troop Zero' star Bella Higginbotham
In an exciting plot twist, Dr. Kim was introduced to Nashville native Bella Higginbotham, cast member of Amazon Studios' original Troop Zero, after announcing Play Like a Girl's participation in an advance screening of the eagerly anticipated film this weekend.
Set in rural 1977 Georgia, Troop Zero stars Academy Award-winners Viola Davis and Allison Janney, Mckenna Grace and Jim Gaffigan, and centers around a misfit girl’s dream of making contact with outer space. When a national competition offers her a chance at her dream, to be recorded on NASA’s Golden Record, she recruits a makeshift troop of Birdie Scouts, forging relationships that last a lifetime and beyond. The endearing underdog tale also stars Mike Epps, Edi Patterson and Charlie Shotwell, and introduces Bella who plays Anne-Claire alongside Milan Ray and Johanna Colón. Troop Zero is directed by the award-winning directing team Bert & Bertie from a script by Academy Award-nominee Lucy Alibar (Beasts of the Southern Wild). Producers are Todd Black, Jason Blumental and Steve Tisch.
In celebration of the film's worldwide launch on Prime Video on January 17, Amazon Studios will bring an exclusive Troop Zero early viewing party to AMC Thoroughbred, located at 633 Frazier Drive in Franklin, on Saturday, January 11 at 11 a.m. Free passes are available and include the red carpet-inspired pre-party, autographs and photos with Bella, and the film screening. Each pass admits two guests and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at the venue. Movie goers are encouraged to arrive early and must enter the auditorium together. Passes do not guarantee admission as free screenings can overbook.
Earlier this week, we did a Question & Answer session with Bella about her experience filming Troop Zero, her life on and off set and what she's working on next.
Tell me about the call. Did you read for the role of Anne-Claire or were you cast some other way?
First, we sent in a video audition for Anne-Claire and Christmas. I liked Anne-Claire better for me, and I’m glad they agreed, because Mckenna Grace is a fantastic Christmas! I got a call back for Anne-Claire in Savannah, Georgia and I met with the directors in Spring 2017. After that I was pinned for the role. (Which meant I was their first pick). It was supposed to film in the summer of 2017, but unexpected delays caused filming to be postponed. We waited about a year until we heard I was cast. I was over the moon when I got the good news!
So who is Anne-Claire? What’s her story? What, if any, similarities do you have with the character?
Anne-Claire is a nine year old evangelist, who is sweet, shy, and a bit of an oddball. She wishes desperately to make friends, but because of her one eye, she has a bit of a hard time. I absolutely loved to play AC because of her awkward-y-shyness and sweet outlook on the world. Anne Clair and I have many differences, but we both are pretty quirky.
Talk about a star-studded cast! Between Allison Janney and Viola Davis, there’s a lot of talent in this film. Who among them do you admire most and why? Did you have the opportunity to film with her or him? What was that like? What did you learn from them to improve your craft?
[bctt tweet="I was EXTREMELY lucky to have worked with such incredible actors and comedians. While on set, Miss Janney and Ms. Davis radiated professionalism and poise. They were both very nice and encouraging of us young performers. I soaked up every opportunity to learn from those amazing women." username="iplaylikeagirl"] It was also fun working with him because I'd previously seen his comedy shows and thought he was VERY funny.
What was the filming experience like for Troop Zero? I’d imagine pretty different from what it was like on set for anything else you’ve done.
As a first movie/film experience it was amazing. I heard from the veterans it was different than most film sets because the atmosphere was so loving and welcoming. The directors, Bert and Bertie, both made the set as chill and fun as possible. We all had a great time filming even though it was was very, very hot in Louisiana in June!
Have you had the chance to work with any of the younger actors previously? Was the chemistry between you and your younger cast mates those characters or did you develop your own formula?
I didn't know any of the other kids previously, but the first day we were all together, eureka! The perfect compound -- within 5 minutes, we became best friends. We have stayed great friends, and we will be forever. We see each other anytime we can, and I can't wait to see them next week at the premiere.
How do you balance acting with school and regular kid stuff? Friends? Extracurricular? Study?
Ha ha, that’s a good one. I’m home-schooled, so my studies are more flexible, I have a planner, and I have play dates and sleepovers like a normal kid. Honestly I’m not that different than most. Really, my extracurricular is acting!
Anything new in the works that you can share?
Last fall, I was able to participate in the reading of a new musical in development for Broadway, and I am hoping it will get funded because I would love to have a future with that show. Other than that, I’m just waiting to hear back from a few things I auditioned for.
What advice would you give to girls your age who have a desire to get into acting?
Start with seeing as much theater as you can and then start auditioning for local theaters or school plays. Yes, auditioning can be intimidating, but its worth it! If you get in to any local plays, nice! If you think its not for you, that’s ok! I’m sure there are other things that will fit your interests better. Figure out your talents, like singing, dancing, acting. Find the one, or more, you want to work on, and start lessons for those. Stockpile some memorized monologues and songs in your repertoire. And remember, if you don't want to do something you don't have to, but if you don’t want to because your scared you’ll mess up, you should try any way or you might miss something incredible. And of course, be yourself!
Hadley: A Free Spirit Bravely Growing Into The Best Version of Herself
“Potential Realized: A Mission with Impact” puts the spotlight on five amazing middle school students whose shared love of STEM and sports transcends their differences. These young women — all Play Like a Girl program participants — are true embodiment of our determination to create a world where girls believe in endless possibilities. Meet all of our “Potential Realized” honorees here.
Name, age
Hadley, 12
School
HG Hill Middle
Hometown
Nashville
Favorite sport
Volleyball
Favorite STEM subject
Technology
Words you live by
“When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.” —Michelle Obama
Video: This student creates space for girls to be free
How is she potential, realized?
“It’s a place where I can be myself.” That’s the way HG Hill Middle School student Hadley emphatically describes her experience as a camper at Play Like a Girl last summer. Hadley, who is an independent thinker and all-around ball of happiness, pushes other girls in her space to be free, have confidence in their abilities and express themselves without conforming to the mainstream.
“Play Like a Girl has taught me how to be free and express myself without worrying about what others think,” she told us. Hadley, like many students her age, was somewhat averse to science and math when she started camp. But she loved the arts including liberal arts, fine arts, music, design-thinking and language arts. Some might even describe her as a walking comedy show or music playlist. However, Hadley had never known art to work in concert with other areas of STEM until her music production class.
“By integrating elements of art into the camp experience, we believe that students can use both sides of their brains—analytical and creative—to become the best thinkers of tomorrow,” said Play Like a Girl founder and CEO Dr. Kim. “The arts are critical components to innovation, so we seek opportunities like this to incorporate the artistic and design-related skills and thinking processes to student-learning in STEM because it’s important for students like Hadley to see the limitless possibilities available to them.”
The Nashville native is on a clear path to becoming the best possible version of herself and encourages other girls her age to do the same. Her friends from summer camp describe her as a wildflower: “Hadley is always so funny. I admire her confidence. She’s a free spirit, unbothered by the naysayers. She’s okay with Hadley,” said her peers.
Hadley not only commands respect and admiration in the classroom. She also captivates those who follow her onto the soccer field. She’s candid and honest about her own personal challenges, including dealing with failure which can be paralyzing for girls at her developmental stage.
According to researchers, more than half of girls lose confidence at puberty and seven in 10 girls avoid trying new things because they are afraid to fail. Eight in 10 of the girls surveyed said the pressure to please others and be perfect led them to fear mistakes, while 75% pointed to social media as a key contributor to that feeling.
Luckily, Hadley embraces failure as fuel to build her confidence. Since as early as she can remember, Hadley says her mother has encouraged her to rethink set-backs—whether missing a game-winning goal or failing a major test—as a way to build confidence and keep going. It’s an opportunity that she describes as “the bounce back.”
Throughout the year, Hadley has unknowingly created an environment where other girls feel free to try new things, make mistakes and are confident enough to try again. “I love Play Like a Girl because I can have fun and express myself,” she said. “When you’re there, you can just be yourself.”
Play Like a Girl presents ‘Potential Realized: A Mission with Impact’
Happy New Year -- 2020!
Turning the page on the past decade coincides with a page turning for Play Like a Girl. To kick off 2020, we are celebrating and telling the stories of girls from our programs, introducing a new(ish) website and expanding our partnerships and programming.
Having recently celebrated 15 years since our founding, we know what each new year represents. This year, in particular, is the culmination of a lot of hard work, strategic decisions and deep commitments. Our 2020 campaign is the result of months spent working to articulate what Play Like a Girl is all about, where we want to go and how we can best serve our girls into the future.
We are determined to focus on our mission and keep the girls we serve at the forefront of everything we do. How? We have laid out our vision for 2020 in two simple yet powerful words: Potential Realized.
For every project we take on — whether it’s summer camp, our annual conference, industry field trips and behind-the-scenes tours, lunchtime mentoring at local schools or social media campaigns — we do it all to help our girls recognize and reach their limitless potential.
Our evolved brand and strategic direction represent this vision. That’s why we decided to focus on the stories of phenomenal young women with “Potential Realized: A Mission with Impact” to kick off the new year. The new campaign conveys the idea of growth, of real progress. Our new website is designed to be a welcoming, informative space. A place for you to learn more about our team, our work and how exactly we’re making good on our promise to champion equality and economic opportunity for all girls. We hope you return often for insights and information.
Our founder and CEO Dr. Kim and her assistant Hannah pored through applications from past program participants to pick five young women who deserve the spotlight. The resulting profiles tell the stories of young women who have themselves evolved since joining their very first Play Like a Girl program or event.
These young women are middle school students who love sports, young women who fail as often as they succeed because they’ve learned to view failure as necessary. These are stories of young women who are changing the game on and off the field of play. These are young women with crazy dreams about their futures in this big, bold world and crazier beliefs about their abilities to change that big, bold world. These young women are shaping their communities and, in their own way, altering life for every girl everywhere. Theirs are stories which deserve to be told.
Meet all of our Potential Realized honorees--our 2020 student ambassadors. And share their profiles on Twitter with the hashtag #PotentialRealized.
Follow #PotentialRealized on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.