About
The Girls Get Connected Collaborative inspires and prepares girls for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Mission
Our mission is to introduce girls to the excitement of science discoveries and the way that technology tools assist in these discoveries. We do this by immersing girls in real-world problems and then helping them deepen their knowledge and skills by working in teams to design and carry out their own projects. Working on their own projects with scientists, girls begin to imagine what careers in science and technology would be like. Girls also explore careers through interviews with professionals and internships. We provide girls with information and support about career paths in science and technology, by educating them about the courses to take while in high school and providing support through the college exploration and career process.
History
Girls Get Connected was founded in September 2000 to address the shortage of technology workers in the United States. In 2000, technology companies in the United States sought and hired computer professionals from foreign countries for a variety of jobs in the technology industry as there were not enough trained workers in the United States, yet women are an untapped resource for these careers. Women make up less than 20 percent of the technology or engineering work force. And, even fewer people of color are part of the science and technology work force. GGCC emerged to prepare girls and girls of color for careers in science and technology.
Board of Directors
Bithiah Carter
Director, Today’s Girls, Tomorrow’s Leaders
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
Diane Hammer
Director, Simmons Institute for Leadership and Change
Simmons College
Nanette Vielleux
Associate Professor, Computer Science
Simmons College
Katie Wheeler
Consultant, Research and Programs on Girls' Participation in Science
Executive Director
Deborah Muscella is the executive director and founder of the Girls Get Connected Collaborative. Dr. Muscella has established partnerships with schools and community-based organizations to involve girls in programs in science and technology. She has presented research findings on GGC’s work with girls at national conferences. Prior to founding GGC she led several national programs in teacher professional development, working with teachers as they implemented innovative programs in mathematics, science, and technology. Dr. Muscella began her career in education in the Philadelphia Public Schools and earned her doctorate in education from The University of Texas at Austin. When not rallying girls to pursue science and technology careers, she makes art with wire and paper and hosts dinner parties for her friends.