Shaheen, Ayotte, Kuster visiting Nashua on Tuesday to honor local students

NASHUA – Members of the state’s all-female congressional delegation are due to be in the city Tuesday to recognize another group of women, graduates of BAE Systems’ Women in Technology program.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte and Rep. Annie Kuster will speak at the ceremony, honoring the group of 18 female high school students who have been working with BAE mentors during the school year.

Increasing the number of women entering science and technology fields has been a major focus of many state lawmakers and those representing the state in Washington, D.C.

BAE’s Women in Technology program was created 18 years ago at its Nashua location to do just that, give female students with an aptitude in math and science a chance to explore careers in a variety of engineering fields.

The program began with six students from two local high schools, and has since expanded to include more than a dozen schools and 18 students each year.

The program lets students participate in hands-on exercises that teach them about electrical, software, mechanical and microwave engineering.

Students involved also work with BAE Systems mentors, who can help guide and support students in their pursuit of a technical career.

Tuesday’s event will feature speeches by the congressional delegation as well as BAE leaders of the program. The students involved will present their thoughts on the work they completed during the program.

The ceremony is to be held at Sky Meadow Country Club, 6 Mountain Laurels Drive, at 11:30 a.m.