girls in engineering, mathematics, and science
minneapolis public schools
p.o. box 13331
minneapolis, mn 55414.5010
612.414.1946
District Programme Facilitator: Julie Ferriss

Girls in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (GEMS) is an after-school and summer program designed specifically for 4th-8th grade girls in the Minneapolis Public School District. The need for discrete programs for girls is acute. Research supports the idea that girls need early and on-going opportunities in science, mathematics, and technology in order to remain motivated and interested in these areas. Research also shows that students begin to lose interest in these areas by the 5th grade if not creatively instructed and engaged. This loss of interest is especially true for girls because gender difference in attitudes and academic performance in each of these areas favors male achievement. This trend is evident as girls choose to participate in fewer science investigations or feel intimidated and/or unprepared when handling science equipment. Many girls avoid studying science or becoming actively involved in the science curriculum because of their own perceptions of their abilities in science. These stereotypic perceptions also affect girls’ interactions with teachers in the classroom. These negative attitudes, supported by research, have a significant impact on interest in further science study and exploration both in and out of the classroom setting.

Seven years ago, Ben Simmons (Honeywell Technology Center) funded a pilot program for 20 Minneapolis public school students, all girls. GEMS was born. Today, approximately 325 girls (4th - 8th grade) from 15 schools are involved in the after-school and summer GEMS programs. This number also includes high school girls who are a part of the high-school mentor program which affords GEMS continued support and advocacy while providing a full view of career options. GEMS provides girls the opportunity to excel academically in small learning communities and incorporates unique STEM opportunities (e.g. robotics, electronics, Science of Speed, aerospace education, etc.). Throughout the aforementioned experiences, the nature of instruction changes as teachers learn new teaching strategies and acquire new tools so as to become more affective, more sensitive to gender issues in all instructional contexts, and better equipped to support girls in special reference to STEM. Teachers who lead the after-school and summer programs participate in on-going training and professional development that is directly related to the concepts and curriculum being taught.

As the GEMS program has continued to grow, we have found that these young women are not girls without ability, but, in many cases, girls without opportunity. GEMS provides opportunities while creating small learning communities in which responsible risk-taking is encouraged and playful learning and tinkering are an accepted and integral part of the curriculum. Performance improves, positive attitudes increase, and interest in math, science, and technology grows and directly affects subsequent school and career choices.

Annually, GEMS participate in FIRST LEGO League robotics competition. The girls build and program robots to meet a given simulated challenge. One of the GEMS robotics teams was featured on the premier episode of Dragonfly TV, which was funded by the National Science Foundation and Best Buy. Other after-school projects include the design, construction, and testing of CO2 cars that are raced at Annual Day at the Races. This project is supported by a standards-based curriculum, Science of Speed. Another curriculum rotation is cleverly named “gEarl’s Garage” in honor of Earl Bakken, founder of Medtronic. “gEarl’s Garage” is hosted by the Bakken Museum and is an inquiry-based science investigation that allows girls to explore the concept of electricity as they design and build “Things That Bug You” (e.g. room alarms).

“Make Up Your Mind” is the most recent inquiry for 7-8th grade GEMS. Designed in cooperation with Aveda, MUYM focus on formulation chemistry as well as the positive image and identity of young women. GEMS design and produce lip gloss and lotion. Culminatively, the yourng women present their products and reseacrh to sceintists and market analysts at Aveda.