What Does GEMS mean?  Girls Excelling in Math and Science

Why start a club?  Girls in increasing numbers have been opting out of the worlds of math, science, and technology as courses in school and as careers.  Google the word “Scientist”.

Where will Science and Math take YOU????

Step 1:  Get your ducks in a row….  Look at your EOG data Who are you going to target?  Have a big picture in mind for the year  Set your goals We want our girls to wonder about the natural world. We want our girls to do the science. We want our girls to think critically, logically and skeptically.  For more  Recruit help- you’re going to need it!

Step 2:  Talk to your principal  Take your plan with you!  Get meeting dates on the calendar for the entire year. This will avoid meeting conflicts throughout the year.  Make sure you are going to be supported.

Step 3:  Establish norms for the club  Attendance  Behavior  Grades  Attitude  Choose a participation cap  Avoids overcrowding  Builds lasting relationships with the girls  Get seed money  Skate Night  PTO Donations

Fundraising  Lollipops -  PTA  Donors Choose

Step 4:  Application Process Application Process  Don’t announce trips, activities, etc. when distributing applications.  Decide which qualities are important for your club.  Decide ahead of time how you are going to handle selecting applicants (How will you “thin” the pool?).  Set a deadline and stick to it.  Once all members are selected, send home information forms to learn more specific details about the students (allergies, custody issues, health concerns).

Step 5: Build your content knowledge  Museum of Natural Sciences  Workshops  NCCAT

Step 6:  Plan your first meeting!  Purpose of GEMS  Hands on activities that hook the girls-(AIMS, Enrichment, Presenters)  Allow ample time….  Have fun! Your enthusiasm will be contagious!

Sample Inquiry Activity  Spaghetti & Marshmallow Structure  Your Task:  Plan and build a structure using spaghetti and marshmallows that will support a “basket” of pennies.  What is the greatest number of pennies your structure can support?

Potential Meetings  Fibonacci Sequence  NC Museum of Natural Sciences  Geocaching  Local Parks  Camp Thunderbird  High Point University  Sir Issac Newton’s Birthday

Resources