February 24, 2016 | Eli Freund - School of Engineering

Video of the Petit Family Foundation Gift

The Petit Family Foundation generously supported a UConn program that allows middle school girls to interact with undergraduate women and young professionals in STEM careers.

The prism sculpture in front of the Castleman Building (School of Engineering).

The prism sculpture in front of the Castleman Building (School of Engineering). (UConn photo/Sean Flynn)

The Petit Family Foundation – dedicated to promoting STEM careers for young women – is helping eighth-grade girls learn from role models – top female UConn Engineering students and practicing engineers.

Its $11,000 gift brings together girls with an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (the STEM fields) with women who can help them accomplish their goals. In regular one-day conferences the eighth-graders work side-by-side with female undergraduate engineering students – who had the same questions just a few years ago – and accomplished female engineers. The program is called Multiply Your Options.