POWERGRAMS

35 It all started with a pair of shoes: gold, strappy and with a heel just tall enough to make any girl feel glamorous. Seventh-grader Amber Gibson coveted the shoes for weeks, begging her mother to buy them. However, Amber's mother consistently told her that, yes, the shoes were pretty but they would not be comfortable. But like any 12-year-old girl, Amber persisted. Finally, Amber and her mother reached a compromise, one that would have a profound impact on Amber. As a student at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School, Gibson excelled in math and science. Her parents and teachers took notice and encouraged her to learn more about a program set to debut at the school in spring 2009 – Alabama Power's iCan Girls in Engineering. While she was interested in math and science, Gibson had no interest in attending the meeting. But her mother knew what it would take to convince her. "She told me she would buy me those shoes if I went to that meeting. So I gave in and decided to go," said Gibson. "Long story short, by the end of the day my mom had been right twice – my feet were killing me and I loved what they told me at the meeting." Soon after that initial meeting, Gibson enrolled in the iCan program. She, along with other girls her age, learned about the engineering profession through engaging activities based on math, science and analytical thinking. She formed relationships with fellow students and many of the iCan volunteers who are female Let's Make a Deal! iCAN STUDENT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF OFFER TO FIND A CAREER Amber Gibson is surrounded by iCan students.

• Cover