Central Mass Girl Scouts Get $10K From National Grid for Science

Monday, July 15, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

The Girl Scouts are encouraging girls to experiment with a career in science.

The Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts has announced a generous donation of $10,000 from National Grid to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programming. The money is earmarked to support a day-long interactive STEM conference for girls.

Geek is Glam STEM Expo (GIG) is for girls in grades 4 through 8 of all abilities to explore, experience and experiment with hands-on interactive workshops, career panel discussions, demonstrations and an expo on October 19 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

“Girl Scouts and National Grid are combining efforts to give girls hands-on experience with STEM disciplines at the GIG STEM Expo,” said Pattie Hallberg, GSCWM CEO. “Inspiring girls to experiment and excel in STEM fields is important. It’s time to dismantle the stereotype that girls aren’t high achievers in mathematics and science.”

Girls and STEM

In the past ten years, STEM jobs have increased in the United States at three times the pace of non-STEM jobs - a trend that is projected to continue into the foreseeable future. Yet only 20% of young women in college intend to major in a STEM field, compared to 50% of young men. GSCWM is working to reverse this trend and give girls a head start as they enter college. According to research by The Girl Scout Research Institute, Girls like STEM (74% of teen girls are interested in STEM) and Girls are more interested in STEM fields if they have greater exposure to STEM through someone in a STEM career or through STEM extracurricular activities.

“National Grid is proud to invest in STEM education programs in the communities we serve," stated Fred Kuebler, Head of US Media Relations at National Grid. "Events like the GIG STEM Expo help students get excited about possibly pursuing challenging and exciting careers in our industry and others like it, while also helping students understand how they can have a direct impact on the next generation."

GIG STEM Expo takes place on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is available to all girls in grades 4 through 8. No former Girl Scout experience necessary. For more information and a list of the day’s events visit http://www.yourtimewellspent.org/.