Annual GEMS conference introduces girls to STEM fields

Posted March 17, 2016 11:00 pm

Submitted by District 211

District 211 strives to introduce all of its students to various fields of study, and with an annual event, fifth- and sixth-grade girls get to explore mathematics, science, and engineering before they enter high school.

The sixth annual GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) conference was held at Conant High School in February, and area students participated in hands-on activities that focused on engineering, science, and math presented entirely by women.

The entire conference is taught by women, whether they are teachers in the district or in fields such as structural design, polymers, technology, geology or mathematics. During GEMS, students attend a career expo that features professional representatives from several companies. From there, they attend five breakout sessions on varying topics.

This year, the Prosthetics session changed to Re-Engineering the Body and Pill Coating Design changed to Tablet Coating Design, which is the first time there was a design element in the program. The program also omitted the parent sessions, which allowed for more student sessions instead.

Female students in all five District 211 high schools also worked the events and helped guide fifth- and sixth-graders through learning sessions. Fremd High School junior Caroline Shah attended GEMS when she was in grade school and was a volunteer for the program this year.

"My dad made me go to GEMS because I really didn't want to at first," Caroline said. "I am really glad that he did. I never thought about girls going into those fields very often. The speakers were women and I thought, 'wow, they are doing it and I can too'."

Caroline said the program is a great way to introduce girls to science, mathematics, technology, and engineering at an early age. She also said it is important for young girls to see women in STEM careers.

I think it's great that they have high school volunteers because a lot of the kids said they look up to us," Caroline said. "If they can relate to us and see how many people are in the field, they will realize they won't be the only girl there."

If anyone is interested in becoming a presenter, or for more information about GEMS, contact Sharon McCoy at Smccoy@d211.org

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Andrea Rohrabacher, center, of AbbVie runs a session on Tablet Coating Design, where the girls are testing different coatings to see what would allow the tablet to dissolve faster in the body. Courtesy of District 211

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