Diane Lee, a 2005 graduate of the University, finds herself as one of few females in the field of engineering. During her years at the University, she was already aware of the need to encourage girls to pursue technical fields as a copresident of the CIO Girls Excited About Math and Science.
Seven years after its creation, GEMS members are still spreading their enthusiasm to local middle school girls through fun and educational activities.
GEMS President Emily Hebeler, a fourth-year Engineering student, said research shows that girls begin to lose interest in math and science during their middle school years. GEMS works to show these girls that science and math aren't just for stuffy old men in white lab coats.
By meeting with the girls in middle school, the group is "trying to encourage [them] before they have to make their decisions of ... what classes to take in high school, so that hopefully when they get that choice, they'll lean toward engineering more," said GEMS Vice President Lindsey McGuire, a fourth-year Engineering student.
Susan Donohue, University alumna and graduate advisor for GEMS, said the club grew out of a fourth-year thesis by University alumna Ginger Moored. During 2000 and 2001, Moored gathered a group of people and created engaging projects for middle school girls.
Activities in the past include making ice cream to demonstrate heat transfer and making gak to explain polymers. Other activities have included logic puzzles, building kites and egg drop competitions.
"We try to pick out experiments that are really interesting, and then we just give a really brief overview of the physical explanation of why that happened," McGuire said.
But some activities are favored more than others. While McGuire said ice cream-making is one of the girls' -- and GEMS members' -- favorite activities, she noted that students sometimes are bored by doing logic puzzles.
But GEMS members stay prepared.
"We usually bring extra things, so if we sense that something's going a little too long, we just change it up," McGuire said.
While direct results are difficult to see because the club continually works with different girls in different grades, GEMS has received positive feedback from teachers and students.
When Lee was involved with GEMS, she said girls who came to the activities with sour attitudes left having enjoyed themselves.
Hebeler said she thinks GEMS' focus on fun rather than teaching certain materials goes beyond just what the girls learn in class.
While GEMS members serve as role models for aspiring female scientists and mathematicians, Hebeler said GEMS also reaches past these technical subjects and motivates the girls to study hard in general.
Another different experience GEMS provides is the chance for middle school girls to talk with other young people excited about science and math.
"Whenever we go in, the girls are always like 'Oh my God, it's college people. This is so exciting!'" Hebeler said.
The interaction with college students also reminds the girls that higher education is an option.
"If they don't have siblings or relatives who are in college, it's a chance for them to meet somebody who is in college and ask them about that," Donohue said.
The perks aren't just one-sided. GEMS members also benefit from spending time with these students. Donohue said she thinks the activities help GEMS members reinforce their personal learning.
"You have to come to your own understanding of the concepts before you can ... teach the kids," she said.
Hebeler also enjoys the opportunity to meet other people and give back to the community through GEMS.
Despite graduating and leaving GEMS behind, the spirit of giving back and helping future generations has continued for Lee. She is looking into joining a mentor program that has a similar agenda to that of GEMS.
"Even to this day ... I still have a strong interest in seeing how I can promote science and math to girls," she said.
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