Middle school girls in Boston have discovered that science is so much more than reading information in a textbook or completing prescribed labs. Science solves problems. Various technologies are used in the service of solving problems in science. Most important, girls have discovered that they can develop the skills of scientists.
What has happened to change girls’ minds about science and technology? Each year over 150 girls attend the Girls Get Connected Technology Conference and participate in hands-on workshops with women scientists, engineers, and IT professionals. The girls learn about other venues for pursuing their interests in science. Over 80 girls have participated in one of our projects, Technology at the Crossroads, in which they have explored issues in urban ecology while they have learned to use geographic information systems and global positioning systems. Girls have worked in teams to assist the City of Boston in the street tree census, investigated alternative energy, and designed and carried out their own projects.
High school girls, who began working with us as rising seventh graders, now work with us as peer leaders and teaching assistants, and they also have opportunities for internships. GGCC provides information about how girls can prepare for careers in STEM during high school and college. GGCC is inspiring and preparing girls for careers as computer scientists, engineers, biologists, chemists, forensic scientists, and mathematics and science teachers.