For the 2012-2013 academic year, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri started a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) enrichment club at Normandy Middle School. The club met several times each month for non-formal classroom STEM immersion, cultural enrichment activities and community service.
STEM activities focused on hands-on, engaging and fun discovery and exploration, including field trips. Cultural enrichment activities include life skill development and support, such as self-esteem, time management and personal organization skills.
This program provided girls with the support they needed, gave them direction, reduced stereotypes about career paths and helped build the skills they need for the future.
Project Objectives for girls:
- Demonstrate their ability to perform a particular STEM-related skill or activity (e.g. robotics)
- Designate a career choice in this field
- Influence girls to attend college and consider STEM studies
- Increase girls’ self-confidence
- Improve in behavior at school
- Increase girls’ knowledge of how STEM fits into many different careers
- Increase girls’ grades in science, mathematics and technology
- Increase girls’ interest in science, math, engineering and technology careers
For more information, contact Michelle Johnson at 314.592.2344, mjohnson@girlscoutsem.org.