Exposing young ladies to eye opening, educational and fun experiences is the focal point of a two day camp called GEMS, Girls Enjoying Math and Science. Gems are for girls’ 5th-8th grade, and located at SMART Centre Market, located in Wheeling, West Virginia. Experiments involve hands on activities that range from astronomy, to biology, to mathematically determining the thickness of a soap bubble.
Girls Enjoy Math, Science At SMART-Center Camp #dyscalculia
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GEMS bring hands on learning experience to 5th-8th grade girls in West Virginia.
A guest speaker, Carol Stevens – the owner of a local engineering firm – discussed different fields of engineering and what sort of projects she has worked on. After the presentation, more hands on learning commenced with the task of building the largest, free-standing, structure out of just index cards. There is usually a fee for attendance to GEMS, but this year tuition was donated by the Woman’s Giving Circle of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley.
Author Quote
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Twenty girls sharpened their math and science skills and learned new concepts during the annual Girls Enjoying Math and Science — GEMS — camp at the SMART Centre Market in Wheeling on Monday and Tuesday.
"Key Takeaways:
1
At the camp, run by two science educators, the girls learned about math and science through hands-on training, using experiments and activities to reinforce the lessons.
2
The emphasis of the camp was on having fun and making learning enjoyable. There were no tests or grades, only occasional contests.
3
In addition to the two science teachers, a guest speaker was brought in to show an example of careers in engineering, to give a positive role model to the girls.
