SIOUX FALLS - Nearly 600 eighth-grade girls will be gathering in Sioux Falls Wednesday for an event aimed at encouraging women to enter the fields of science.

The event at Southeast Tech will feature 30 exhibitors presenting technical career paths and 27 presenters in science-related occupations giving half-hour presentations.

Each girl will have the opportunity to hear at least five of the presentations and visit the exhibit room.

The forum is sponsored by the Women in Science organization, which is dedicated to achieving equity and full participation for women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.

Organizers say women are historically underrepresented in science and math related fields, holding less than 25 percent of jobs in these technological areas.

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