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

How to start your own

GEMS club

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 - http://www.easy-fundraising-ideas.com

PTA Donors Choose

Step 4:

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

NC Museum of Natural Sciences Scott Hager Ana Floyd Middle/ High School Teachers http://gemsclub.org/home http://www.iwaswondering.org/ http://engineergirl.org/ Make it a point to have as many strong

female role models/presenters as possible.