DOI
10.5703/1288284317607
Document Type
Poster
Abstract
Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) is an afterschool club started in 1994 by a parent, Laura Reasoner Jones, who was dismayed to hear her 10-year old daughter Julie opt herself out of attending a magnet school because “Math is hard.” Julie’s math performance had been good in school, therefore Laura wondered what else might be causing her self doubt. Laura decided to address the issue. Collaborating with Julie’s teacher, she started the first GEMS club for Julie and her friends in fifth and sixth grade. During the following 25 years, GEMS clubs have operated globally to provide resources to support leaders to implement community-based, single-sex learning environments with over 200 hands-on STEM activities. Through the website library, GEMS provides free, equal access to these activities for students, parents, and educators. The mission of GEMS is to cultivate curiosity and confidence in STEM for girls in elementary and secondary school.
Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS): Stories of the Original GEMS Girls
Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) is an afterschool club started in 1994 by a parent, Laura Reasoner Jones, who was dismayed to hear her 10-year old daughter Julie opt herself out of attending a magnet school because “Math is hard.” Julie’s math performance had been good in school, therefore Laura wondered what else might be causing her self doubt. Laura decided to address the issue. Collaborating with Julie’s teacher, she started the first GEMS club for Julie and her friends in fifth and sixth grade. During the following 25 years, GEMS clubs have operated globally to provide resources to support leaders to implement community-based, single-sex learning environments with over 200 hands-on STEM activities. Through the website library, GEMS provides free, equal access to these activities for students, parents, and educators. The mission of GEMS is to cultivate curiosity and confidence in STEM for girls in elementary and secondary school.