Mini-Grant Awards
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Pathways to Satisfaction: College Mentors and You
Collaborating Organizations: Edgewood College
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8, 9-12
Edgewood College will develop a process to focus on facilitating the adult futures and outcomes realized by youth. The focus in the past has always been special population access. This project will continue the work that focuses upon the needs of female youth and will further extend the focus to careers and adult outcomes in math, science and engineering that are not traditionally or proportionately pursued by females. Particular focus will attend to minority females and females who live at the poverty level. -
Expanding Young Girls Interest in Technology
Collaborating Organizations: Dane County School Consortium, Dane County Transition School
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
Our program goals are to provide information and outreach strategies to young girls to expose them to careers in technology. The Powered-Up group in Madison will be working with eighth, ninth and tenth grade girls to provide them with hands-on activities in the area of Information Technology. The Powered-Up businesses (CUNA Mutual, Great Lakes Higher Education, Inacom Training Center, TDS, American Family and General Casualty) will partner with Sun Prairie, Waunakee, Monona Grove, Madison Metropolitan, McFarland and Middlton Cross Plains school districts to offer these opportunities. -
STEM “Little Sister” Recruiting Initiative
Collaborating Organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County
The goal of the STEM “Little Sister” Recruiting initiative is to identify female middle-school School Friends matches (Big Sister/Little Sister) with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics. The School Friends program coordinator will review Big Sister applications to identify STEM-oriented mentors. She will work with those mentors to further interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics between STEM mentors and their Little Sisters during their weekly meetings. Little Sisters who demonstrate an interest in STEM will be encouraged to enroll in the UW Madison PEOPLE Program. The School Friends Program Coordinator and other Big Brothers Big Sisters staff will assist STEM Little Sisters in getting information about the PEOPLE program. -
Wet & Wild - Girl Scouts of Woodland Council Inc (GSWC)
Collaborating Organizations: Girl Scouts of Woodland Council Inc, American Association of University Women, Wisconsin Rapids, WI Branch
Wet & Wild 2 Day Resident Camp - July 31,Aug 1, 2006 Grades 7-12 Serving 25 girls, 5 Leaders; representing rural communities Girl Scouts of Woodland Council currently serves 1 in 7 girls in our jurisdiction. That’s over 3,000 girls in nine rural Wisconsin counties; Adams, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Portage, Waushara, Wood, Clark and Fond Du Lac. Two of these counties rank among the lowest family income levels in the state. Opportunities for girls to explore science or technical career options are minimal. We will partner with AAUW/ Wisconsin Rapids Branch and Aqua Skiers Inc to develop Wet & Wild; a 2 day resident camp designed to introduce girls grades 7-12 and adult troop leaders to the science of water and water sports, and its impact on our communities. At Lake Petenwell, girls and leaders will learn the basic physics of water skiing with a personal lesson with an Aqua Skiers instructor. They’ll also study weather and actually experience its affect as they learn to wind surf and sail. They’ll know when it’s a good day to sail! At camp, The Making Waves (GSUSA science curriculum/badge work) will be used for some basic pond water experiments. An Operations Engineer from a local paper mill will give us a glimpse of being a woman in a technical field. Participants will team in hands-on experiments, perform basic calculations and will actually experience the physics of these water sports. They will also gain an appreciation for solid ecological practices. This program offers opportunities that girls may not otherwise experience. Five troop leaders will be invited to participate alongside the girls at no charge. Our experience has been once a troop leader captures a vision for her girls, she becomes the voice for girls in her community. We hope to make STEM a part of that vision. -
Critter Care – A Science-based Educational Program about Animals
Collaborating Organizations: Oshkosh Area Humane Society
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8, 9-12
Critter Care was a day camp focused on increasing awareness and comfort levels in the biology and care of domestic and wild animals. The camp included a field trip to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society where qualified staff gave a behind-the-scenes tour. Girls learned about endangered species and how to assist animals to thrive, safe and responsible pet ownership, environmental habitats, care of injured creatures, humane treatment of animals, and career options. -
Exploring Engineering NOYCE
Collaborating Organizations: University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
A new initiative of GEMS will be offering middle school girls a hands-on engineering experience when they travel to Oshkosh Corporation. The girls will participate in two workshops taught by female Oshkosh Corp engineers: materials and process engineering, and corporate electronics lab. The girls will eat lunch between their workshops and the day will conclude with a plant tour. -
STEM workshop for middle school girls
Collaborating Organizations: Univeristy of Wisconsin - Rock County, Rock County Engineering Program
The staff and faculty (both males and females) at UW-Rock County are collaborating with Janesville public schools to offer an all-day Saturday workshop (8:30-3:30) on April 22, 2006, for middle-school girls in the district (and their parents) that promotes education and career paths in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our hopes are to specifically reach out to the underprivileged population in Rock County; those girls who may never get an education opportunity like this otherwise. We plan to have several concurrent sessions where girls and their parents may choose topics that most interest them (forensics, the physics of music, pond ecology, Google Earth, to name a few.). We will also offer an "education panel" where current UW-Rock STEM students will share their experiences, as well as a "career panel" where various professionals from the field offer their advice and experiences. -
Engineering for Young Women
Collaborating Organizations: University of Wisconsin-Stout, Chippewa Falls Museum of Industry and Technology
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Students Age 6-8, 9-12
The National Center will develop a workshop that can be implemented in conjunction with the museum's on-going weekend programs for young people. The workshop in question will center around simple electronic devices that can be programmed to activate small motors, lights, and pumps, based on things like heat, motion, and time. More specifically, the controllers will be used to program table-top hydroponic greenhouses that must provide the optimal conditions for plant growth (e.g., water, nutrients, light, temperature). The activities will target specific national standards for the study of technology (AAAS, 1993). More specifically, they will focus on specific ideas about design, systems, and control (see goals). The activities will also be attentive to feminine perspectives on technology. -
Southdale goes biotrekking
Collaborating Organizations: Girl Scouts of Black Hawk Council, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
Girl Scouts of Black Hawk Council runs a summer program for girls ages 9-12 in our local Southdale neighborhood. Each week has a different theme. The girls will spend one week working with the UW Madison Biotechnology outreach program called Biotrek. The girls will spend four days from 9:00-12:00 at the Biotech center working on exciting, hands-on, high-tech science experiments and activities. Girls will learn about the scientific process by conducting experiments on yeast. They will do several projects on DNA and population genetics, as well as become crime scene detectives sleuthing out "alien blood". They will experience electrophoresis and much more. After each morning’s program, the girls will tour another building on campus and eat lunch there, giving them the opportunity to see what the university and campus life is like. -
CSI: Chinook
Collaborating Organizations: Waukesha County, Department of the Medical Examiner
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8, 9-12
To empower area girls with confidence to use technology and expose them to exciting STEM-related careers, this council is developing a forensic science program, CSI: Chinook. The program invites teen Girl Scouts behind the scenes to discover first-hand how real CSI pros solve crimes, just like their popular TV drama counterparts, while teaching them the role of technology in forensics. Participants will join in hands-on activities, conduct interviews with female professionals, and discuss the ins and outs of forensic science with their peers. This program will inspire girls to explore new technologies, investigate college programs that will prepare them for STEM-related career paths, and learn more about the field of forensic science. -
Pre-college Camps
Collaborating Organizations: Girl Scout Council of Kenosha County, Gateway Technical College
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8, 9-12
Every summer the faculty of Gateway Technical College design programs with the STEM curriculum in mind. The programs are experiential learning at its very best for students in 6th - 12th grade. The Girl Scouts of Kenosha County are requesting $1000 to pay the $125.00 registration fee for eight girls to participate in one of the following programs: • Building a Multi-Media Web Page (June 26 - 29). This program will give the girls the tools to build a web page with HTML. They will learn how to work with graphics, sounds, and how to build an eye-catching page. • 3D Modeling & Animation (July 10- 14) where girls will learn Maya in Gateway's graphics lab. They will create and animate their own 3D character. Both of the programs are held on Racine Gateway Campus. The Girl Scout Council will provide transportation. -
Women Soar – The Sky is Not the Limit
Collaborating Organizations: Girl Scouts of Birch Trails Council, EAA
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8, 9-12
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) presented the first Women Soar event in 2005, serving as a portal for girls of all backgrounds to discover the possibilities of careers in aviation, science, engineering, high technology and others by introducing them to dedicated women who have achieved success, and providing experiential activities that educate, motivate and inspire them to pursue these careers. In year two, they seek to grow the event and will continue to focus attention and resources on the recruitment, training, and inspiration of the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, pilots, astronauts and dreamers. Additionally, this year’s event will feature a more interactive, hands-on atmosphere, and girls will have additional one-on-one time with mentors, speakers, special guests, and their peers. -
All-Girls Rocket Team
Collaborating Organizations: Oneida Nation High School, Space Education Initiatives
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 9-12
The All-Girl Team will build a high power rocket, capable of attaining 3,000 feet and compete in the Rockets for Schools program in Sheboygan, WI. For this competition, the girls will also design, build and fly a payload in their rocket, give a presentation, create a display board and compete in an academic challenge about their knowledge of aerospace. The Oneida culture is expressed through naming and painting the rocket. -
YWCA GIRLS Club Storytelling Camp
Collaborating Organizations: YWCA Wausau, UW-MARATHON COUNTY, CONTINUING EDUCATION
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
This camp uses the ALICE Storytelling software to show middle school girls how to use a computer to create their own animated story, characters, and plots. The camp uses an informal learning approach to introduce the girls to computer programming. The goal of the camp is to encourage the girls to pursue future opportunities in the area of technology in their schools and/or communities. The camp is offered free of charge through the YWCA with the assistance of the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County campus. The camp is lead by an experienced information technology instructor from Northcentral Technical College. At the conclusion of class, each girl receives a flash drive with the program and their project downloaded for future use. -
Digital Backpack Storytelling
Collaborating Organizations: Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Waukesha County Technical College
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age K-5
Digital Backpack Storytelling allows girls in 4th and 5th grades to experience digital media technology and create a movie or digital scrapbook. The program is implemented in three phases: an instructional phase addressing interviewing techniques, photo composition, movie storyboarding, and use of a digital camera and camcorder; a filming phase in which girls conduct and record interviews; and an editing phase in which girls edit footage and create a finished movie or digital scrapbook complete with sound, text, and narration. The digital storytelling process Plan, Produce, Prune & Publish provides structure for this activity. Participants receive instruction from Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) staff and students. WCTC students provide guidance throughout the process. -
Build Your Own Computer Workshop
Collaborating Organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, DANEnet
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Students Age 6-8, 9-12
Youth enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters ("Littles," or mentees) will attend a "Build Your Own Computer" workshop with their "Bigs" (mentors). Upon completion, Littles will learn how to install hardware and software into a computer they will get to keep. Recruitment of matches will focus on "Little Sisters." -
Build Your Own Workshop 2
Collaborating Organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, DANEnet
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Students Age 6-8, 9-12
Littles (mentees) and Bigs (mentors) will attend a 1/2 day workshop to learn how to install hardware and software into a computer that they will take home after the workshop. Littles will also learn about the wide variety of technology careers available with a focus on careers in computing. -
Oneida Girls Initiative
Collaborating Organizations: University of WI-Green Bay, University of WI-Green Bay
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Students Age 9-12
For students entering grades 10-12+ with interests in physical therapy, sports medicine, emergency medical fields, radiology/oncology, or research science, this camp will acquaint students to an array of growing health science fields. In a partnership between UW-Green Bay’s Office of Outreach and Extension and Bellin College (Green Bay), this camp offers students an ideal experience for those interested in pursuing a college degree in science or a profession that requires a science foundation. -
All Girls Rockets for Schools Team
Collaborating Organizations: Sheboygan County 4-H, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8, 9-12
We are an all girls rocket team that is participating in the Rockets for Schools Program. We have successfully competed for three years in the Class I program and one year in the Class II program. This year we will once again compete in the Class II program which requires more sophisticated equipment for the payload. Our goal is to finish in the top three in the Class II division which would allow us to apply for the NASA Student Launch Initiative in Huntsville, Alabama. -
Rockets for Schools All Girls Team
Collaborating Organizations: Sheboygan County 4-H, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8, 9-12
We are an all girls rocket team that is participating in the Rockets for Schools Program. We have successfully competed for three years in the Class I program and would like to expand to the Class II program. The Class II program requires a larger rocket and more sophisticated equipment for the payload. -
STEM Career Pathway Exploration
Collaborating Organizations: Career Connection- Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce-CESA 6, University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Students Age 6-8
F.O.C.U.S "Fostering Our Communities Understanding of STEM" is the goal of the multiple partners and educational agencies within the Fox Cities area. Our partners will collaborate to create exposure for female students in STEM related careers across multiple career pathways and engage them in exciting hands on activities with the support of community mentors. -
STEM Girls
Collaborating Organizations: UWM-College for Kids/College for Teens, Pearls for Teen Girls
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
STEM Girls is a STEM literacy and mentoring program for middle school girls with the assistance of UWM student mentors. Participants create team projects utilizing the training they gain during individual Saturday workshops in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), present their project to their parents and the community, and attend a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL. Students will receive hands-on experience in each of the STEM fields, mentoring from UWM students, materials on becoming a successful college graduate, and the career paths possible with a degree in a STEM field. -
HAWS Camp Gone to the Dogs
Collaborating Organizations: Humane Animal Welfare Society, Boys & Girlis Club of Greater Milwaukee
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
Camp Gone to the Dogs is an opportunity for girls to not only spend time with dogs, but to actually be exposed to the science behind them. Girls will be exposed to veterinary medicine in our on-site clinic, and have an opportunity to observe surgery and physical examinations of animals at HAWS. Presentations on caning body language, learning theory, research being done on canine cognition will be made, and the girls will have an opportunity to apply this knowledge to working with shelter dogs. -
Advanced GO! (Gals Only!) Fire Science
Collaborating Organizations: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Office of Continuing Education and Extension, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 9-12
This female-only program increases enthusiasm for the fire science field in a non-traditional population. The program will advance equity for women through education while increasing science and math competencies and knowledge of non-traditional careers for women. -
GIFTS: Girls Investigating Futures in Tech. & Sci.
Collaborating Organizations: Lussier Community Education Center, Edgewood College
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
The Lussier Community Education Center (LCEC) and faculty and students of Edgewood College’s Office of Science Outreach in Madison, Wisconsin seek to introduce low income and at risk middle school girls to STEM education and career paths. There is a high need for these services - eg, only 47-54% of middle school students served by LCEC meet state math proficiency levels. EC students and faculty will offer a series of workshops through LCEC’s after school and summer programs to expose the students to a wide variety of science topics and careers. They will also develop the capacity of LCEC program staff to offer science programs. Participants and their families will attend EC’s Family Science Night to give students the chance to engage in hands-on science activities with their families. The girls will be provided with mentorship by female role models in the sciences (students and professionals), exposure to the college experience, and opportunities to increase their scientific knowledge. -
UW-Waukesha GEMS Program
Collaborating Organizations: University of Wisconsin-Waukesha, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
GEMS, "Girls Engineering Mathematics and Science" program is a one-day event involving girls ages 11-14 to increase their awareness of careers in math and science. A day of contact with female role models in the sciences presenting interactive workshops involve the girls to expose then to and help them to develop confidence that math and science careers are open to them. -
Wood County GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math & Sci
Collaborating Organizations: University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County, School District of Marshfield
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8
This is a one-day event for girls in grades 6, 7 & 8 in the Wood County, Wisconsin area. The staff at the UW-Marshfield/Wood County are collaborating with the Marshfield public schools to offer an all-day (8:30-3:30pm) conference on a Saturday in the fall of 2011. This event will include STEM workshops for girls to introduce and motivate girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics within the research-based strategy of Informal Learning. This day will also include two keynote speakers who are female leaders in at least one of the STEM areas, and a luncheon. -
GSWISE Camp iGirl
Collaborating Organizations: Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Alverno College
Target Age Groups/Sub Groups: Females Age 6-8, 9-12
Camp iGirl, a six day, five night electronic media and technology focused resident camp will be held July 10-15, 2011 at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Girls are immersed in a technological learning and college living environment. Through hands on learning experiences led by Alverno College faculty, girls will explore digital photography, magazine design, website development, and digital video production.
