Page 8 Students First Carver’s GEM Club introduces girls to STEM Carver GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science, is a Carver club designed to increase STEM awareness and engineering principles among young girls. According to the research composed by Microsoft and Dr. Shalini Kesar, Associate Professor of Southern Utah University, there is a huge gender disparity within STEM career fields. In the research article, Closing the STEM Gap, “girls and young women have a hard time picturing themselves in STEM roles.” The article further articulates “how girls who participate in STEM clubs and activities outside of school are more likely to say they will pursue STEM subjects later in their education.” It is essential for girls to gain exposure to experiments and experiences that can provide insight to enhance STEM instruction. The exposure allows young girls to see the potential for careers in STEM and to be creative with a positive impact on the world. Under the leadership of Carver’s STEAM Coach, Calandra Brisbone, the Carver GEMS club offers girls learning opportunities through engineering and coding activities. Girls are given practical and real life problems to develop solutions. The club is comprised of girls from 3rd and 4th grade. Currently, Carver GEMS are working to design and code a digital story to engage young learners in grades Kindergarten through 2nd to read more books. Each year Carver GEMS partner with the young ladies of the South Carolina Governor’s School of Science and Math (SCGSSM) located in Hartsville, South Carolina. The GEMS’ first interaction with these 11th and 12th grade ladies of SCGSSM is as pen pals. The ladies of SCGSSM act as young mentors for the young GEMS mentees offering advice about STEM curriculum and future endeavors with colleges and careers. After several weeks of receiving and responding to pen pal letters Carver GEMS are given the opportunity to visit the campus of SCGSSM. During their visit, GEMS are given a campus tour and the opportunity to engage in conversations regarding STEM during science and math classes. The Carver GEMS fosters a “growth mindset” among female students while introducing young girls to female role models in STEM. Principal Josie Little is excited to have the GEMS program at Carver. “Our girls are being exposed to many opportunities that will change their lives forever,” Little said. “It is our hope that these girls will remember these experiences and consider exploring STEM careers in the near future.”
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