Grade 9 girls explore STEM career paths in hands-on experienceBy ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on January 29, 2026. Grade 9 students explore hands-on chemistry in a Medicine Hat College lab Wednesday.--NEWS PHOTO ANNA SMITH Grade 9 students explore hands-on chemistry in a Medicine Hat College lab Wednesday.--NEWS PHOTO ANNA SMITHShare this story:More than 40 local girls had the opportunity Wednesday to glimpse a future in science with the 34th annual Operation Minerva. “This year, we’ve been lucky to partner with Medicine Hat College, so in the afternoon, we have so many workshops that the girls can do hands-on,” said Rooks. “I also think it is really important to just show these girls what careers are in our community. We need to show our students what careers are in our community that they don’t know about,” said Rooks.