What is Girls in the SYSTEM?

Girls in the SYSTEM is an NSF-funded project. It brings together five departments of the University of Arizona (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics, Mining and Geological Engineering and the Southwest Institute for Research on Women in the Women's Studies Department) and the Sahuaro Girl Scout Council with the goal of improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for girls in grades 3 - 8, especially Mexican American, Native American and economically underprivileged girls in southern Arizona. This partnership links informal and formal educators in its effort to reach these girls. By designing activities that respond to the local setting and by including parents, teachers and troop leaders, we connect the educational system with the community.

• STEM Academies

Experienced teachers, preservice teachers and Girl Scout troop leaders receive training in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and gender equity at STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Academies held twice each year. These workshops provide opportunities for participants to work with innovative educational resources that increase their knowledge of STEM and provide instructional ideas for their work with youth, placing special emphasis on issues of gender equity.
 
 
• Girl Scout troop program

Some STEM Academy participants facilitate incorporation of STEM activities into Girl Scout troop meetings. Six-week sessions take place at selected sites. This program is designed to stimulate and nurture girls' interest in using methods of inquiry to enhance their understanding of STEM. Facilitators use challenging, hands-on STEM activities that support and expand girls' abilities to solve problems using the tools of scientific investigation and their natural curiosity about how things work.
 
 
• Summer Day Camps

Week-long summer programs are facilitated by some of the educators who participate in the STEM Academy. Five one-week camps take place each summer at various sites in Tucson and vicinity. The camps provide engaging activities that motivate children's interest in STEM. In addition, they serve as teaching laboratories in which educator participants implement new teaching strategies with small groups of children. Some of the weeks include boys in order to enable educators to analyze and refine their own practices with regard to gender equity.
 
 
• Parents and Other Family Members

Workshops for parents and other family members have the goal of informing them of available resources to strengthen their children's- especially their daughters'-interest and engagement in STEM. The workshops engage family members in STEM activities and apprise them of the significance of their role in the academic preparation of their children.
 
 
• Adults in the Community

Leadership development opportunities are offered to adult participants to allow them to take initiative in extending the project's impact. Mini-grants are available to STEM Academy participants and parents who will develop activities such as study groups, mother-daughter STEM events, and presentations to other interested community groups.
 





 


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Website updated and maintained by
      Cristi D. Guevara.