Overview

The Midwest Girls Collaborative Project (MWGCP) brings together organizations throughout Illinois that are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Too often programs that serve girls in STEM are limited in service and impact due to size, location, funding, expertise, and equipment. In other cases, projects compete with each other, duplicating services and seeking the same resources. MWGCP provides the opportunity for programs to increase their ability to maintain interest and participation of girls in STEM within their regions through collaboration.

The MWGCP is based upon a model developed by the National Girls Collaborative Project, and replicated through a grant from the National Science Foundation. The model is structured to bring organizations together to compare needs and resources, share information, and to plan strategically to expand STEM-related opportunities for girls.

Exploration Place, The Sedgwick County Science and Discovery Center located in Wichita, Kansas held SciGals Science and Engineering Day on February 26, 2011. The event was a collaboration between the local centers, Wichita State University's Engineering Department and SWE and approximately 290 girls attended the event and participated in general science, nanotechnology, and engineering activities. Exploration Place lists its programs with Youth Inspired Challenge, and was asked to have the SciGals Science and Engineering Day showcased on their website. The event was funded by a National Girls Collaborative Project Mini-Grant.

Midwest Girls Collaborative (MWGCP) Google Calendar lists events that are sponsored by MWGCP, by MWGCP mini-award grantees, and by other organizations aligned with MWGCP goals.  All members of the MWGCP Regional Leadership Team and Champions Board are encouraged to enter events. Viewers of and contributors to the calendar should sign into their Google accounts.

STEM Expo For Girls Sees Wide Popularity
The Proviso (IL) Herald (1/10/2011, Krochmal) reports, "The Second Annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Conference presented presented at Niles West recently was so popular that the third expo is already being planned for this fall. It will again feature fun, hands-on activities for fifth and sixth-grade-students, while advising their parents how to prepare their daughters for high school and college." Previous conference activities included topics like polymer chemistry, health science, industrial engineering, environmental science and the art of science in a fun and unintimidating way. Girls explored industrial engineering to hypothetically plan pre-teen heartthrob Justin Bieber's next concert tour. The Second Annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Conference was funded in part by a Midwest Girls Collaborative Project mini-grant award.