GIRLS 4 SCIENCE

Girls 4 Science (G4S) is dedicated to exposing girls age 10-18 years primarily from under-resourced areas of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). G4S focuses on developing skills, self-esteem, awareness and relationships to help girls overcome barriers that may prevent them from achieving greater success in studying STEM fields and entering STEM careers, and endeavors to create a sustainable pipeline for women of color in STEM careers. G4S designed an innovative program model to address the lack of accessible, quality science programs for female youth with its Saturday STEM Academy.

The Saturday STEM Academy provides age-appropriate experiential learning through small group science exploration, themed field trips allowing participants to experience STEM “live and in action”, and mentorship – tactics that have proven to be successful in retaining girls’ interest in STEM subjects. Girls 4 Science (G4S) offers its six-week Saturday STEM Academy four times per year – Winter (January-February), Spring (April-May), Summer (July-August) and Fall (October-November) – at three locations: Malcolm X City College on Chicago’s west side, Olive-Harvey City College in the far south Roseland neighborhood and the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. Participants represent nearly 90 zip codes in the Chicago region. There are between 120 and 140 participants per session, 75% in elementary/middle school and 25% in high school; more than 70% identify as Black/African American.

The Saturday STEM Academy offers separate classes for high school (grades 9-12) and elementary/middle school (grades 4-8) students. Both programs have enhanced, age-appropriate curriculum, evaluation and hands-on experiential learning activities. The programs run concurrently at each location and are conducted in state-of-the-art laboratories led by STEM professionals and volunteers under the direction of the Program Coordinators.