NEW BEDFORD, MA (February 28, 2011) — The Ocean Explorium, with generous support from the Women's Fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, announces the third annual speaker series aimed at promoting the "STEM" subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to girls and young women.

The Girls Interested in Real Life Science (GIRLS) series will run each Thursday in March.Formerly offered under the name of Women in Science + Engineering (WiSE), the series features inspiring speakers drawn from professions wherein the STEM subjects play a major role.

This year's speakers are:

March 3:Susan B. Peterson, Ph.D., Teal Partners, environmental consultants

March 10:Ilana Feinerman, M.D., Ear/Nose/Throat specialist in private practice

March 17:Gina Cerrito, Marine Educator with New England Aquarium

March 24:Faith Ball, Engineer with Lockheed Martin Sippican

March 31:Rhonda Moniz, Dive Safety Instructor, Entrepreneur

Doors open at 5:00 pm each Thursday in March for refreshments and mingling in the Ocean Explorium before the talks begin at 5:30 pm.This series is free and open to the public thanks to the support of the Women’s Fund.

Students will receive a special pin to indicate attendance at each week's event.The Ocean Explorium is happy to work with local educators so students can earn extra credit.Contact Abbey Spargo if you would like to arrange a more formal program.Girls and boys in grades 5 – 12 are encouraged to attend: families are always welcome!

The Ocean Explorium is located at 174 Union Street in downtown New Bedford and is handicap accessible via the rear entrance.Call 508.994.5400 for after-hours access.

For further information, contact Abbey Spargo at aspargo@oceanexplorium.org or 508.994.5400, or visit the Ocean Explorium website at www.oceanexplorium.org.