Seneca Valley Middle School STEM Fems
Seneca Valley Middle School has
implemented a STEM program for 7th and 8th grade female students appropriately named SVMS STEM Fems.
Julie Smith, an eighth grade science teacher, along with Principal Andrea Peck
and Vice-Principal Marie Palano, have teamed together
with the local community to enhance Science and Math, Technology, Engineering
and Medicine for Seneca Valley girls. STEM Fems, launched in December with approximately
70 girls, began the year taking part in a CSI-investigation activity in which the
girls became forensic scientists for the afternoon when they investigated the
mystery of who mixed up Mrs. Claus’ cookie ingredients.
During the second event in
February, girls learned about the chemistry of cosmetics through the help of
women scientists from Sonneborn, INC, Lenape Technical School, and the Female
Alliance for STEM Excellence, FASE. The girls used chemistry to make their own
lip gloss, scented stones, and face scrub to take home with them. The STEM Fems
events continued through the school year with hands-on, minds-on activities and
guest speakers who talked with the girls about how these STEM activities relate
to their lives and careers.
The next after school event was in March
when undergraduate and graduate women in the School of Computer Science at
Carnegie Mellon University introduced computer science to the middle school
girls and talked about when about why & how they began studying computer
science, their current experiences, what computer science means to them now,
and their future hopes and expectations. Google Pittsburgh software engineer
and Seneca Valley graduate Danielle Millett also shared her life & career
experiences with the STEM Fems during this technology event.
A recognition ceremony for the girls
and their parents will be held in mid-April that will include a STEM-related
activity, guest speakers from the senior high school Women in Engineering class,
and student recognition for their potential, interest, and talent in STEM.
A workshop will also be offered at the
Department of Defense’s STARBASE – Atlantis Pittsburgh in late June to further
expose girls to the world of STEM through experimental learning, simulations,
experiments in aviation, interaction with military personnel and tours of Naval
activities.
In order to increase collaboration
between the school, the girls & their parents, and the community members a
STEM website has been designed to share unique STEM opportunities both within
the STEM Fems and around the community. The
events, implementation, and progress of the program have been widely publicized
in local media. Students have also
received official STEM Fems shirts for their participation and are encouraged
to wear them to all events.
The goal of STEM Fems is for middle
school girls to experience increased exposure to STEM related careers and
opportunities. Our mission is for them to develop inquiry and collaboration
skills to use in all curricular areas. Most importantly, by recognizing their
efforts and introducing them to role models within Science, Technology,
Engineering and Medicine, we hope to move closer to gender equality in
education and in STEM occupations.
For
additional information, please contact Andrea Peck, Principal Seneca Valley
Middle School @ peckaw@svsd.net
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