The three letter acronym that causes anxiety in every high school senior---SAT

One of those life passages that many of us have to experience is the dreaded SAT test. Somehow as a young person we feel that this one test determines our future success.  A good score and ivy league schools will then lead to career success.  A poor score and we are left to choose among our 2nd and 3rd choice colleges.  As we get older we realize that many other factors impact our career success and the anxiety over this one test was overblown but we still remember the dread of walking into that SAT testing room. Today I have some good news for any young person in Howard County who is currently facing this exam.

The Howard County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is hosting a practice SAT exam on 2/11 at Vantage House for middle and high school students.  There will be a follow up strategy session on 3/3 at 2 PM at Vantage House and one parent/guardian can come with the student to the latter event.  The donation for both events is $15 per person, with proceeds going towards the AAUW Howard County philanthropic funds and particularly towards the two scholarships we give to two Howard Community College female students.  They also use the money to send an HCC student to the National Conference of College Women Student Leaders, held in early June at UMD in College Park.  This has international participants.

For this practice SAT, they would like to promote it as an educational project and a fundraiser.  Students get to take the practice SAT – just like the real one – and then learn more about what to watch for on SAT and ACT tests.  Parents have been delighted when they did this and students range in grades from 6^th to 11^th.  They also welcome home-schooled students.

Other AAUW Events

Girl Power Career Fair
This Career Fair for middle and high school girls will be held Sunday, March 11 from 2 PM – 5 PM at the Kossiakoff Center at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (APL).  The purpose is to interest girls in studies and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.  Several hundred attend each year, with their parents/guardians.
The APL hosts this event, with funds from other organizations and support from the APL and Math Engineering Science Achievement organization.  This is a free event that AAUW Howard County participates in each year, with a STEM exhibit.  We will also have an AAUW exhibit table where we will have information on AAUW and an associated sale on membership in AAUW.
There will be many hands-on STEM exhibits and presentations.  If you are an AAUW member and you want to help at this event, contact aauwhocomembers@gmail.com.
Discovery Fair for pre-schoolers
This event for pre-school children will be held at the East Columbia library on Cradlerock Lane on April 14 from 10 – 2 PM.  The theme this time will be Exploring Nature.  Many organizations will have exhibits involving this theme.  AAUW Howard County will be exhibiting and there will be a sale on membership for those interested in joining AAUW.  This is a free public event and is lots of fun.
Adventures in Dining
Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 6:30 PM,
Hunan Legend in Dorsey Search village center.
Contact aauwhocomembers@gmail.com if you want to come and are not a member.
AAUW Book Bash
Saturday, January 14, 2012, 11:30 AM
Union Jack Pub, in Columbia Mall parking lot.
Contact aauwhocomembers@gmail.com if you want to come and are not a member.
Sale on AAUW membership at this event.
AAUW Cheap Dates
Sunday, January 15, 2012, 2:30 PM
Paneras at Dobbin Center; No RSVP necessary.
AAUW Lunch Bunch
Thursday, January 26, 2012, 11:30 AM – 1 PM
Nordstrom’s Marketplace café. No RSVP necessary.
Sale on Membership.

P.S.

Howard County Library

Raptor Adventure. Get up close and personal with remarkable birds of prey in an informative presentation and display by handler Deron Meador. A barn owl, Eurasian eagle owl, red-tailed hawk, and yellow-headed vulture are on the guest list, as well as stories about our feathered friends. Ages 6 & up; 60 min. 01/14/12 2:00 PM Central Branch
*Registration is required. Register online or by calling 410.313.7880.