Mote partners with SciGirls to offer STEM summer camp for girls
SciGirls participants will be immersed in different aspects of science and research through hands-on activities, games, etc.
Written by Stephanie Hagan
The week of Fourth of July is all about girl power at Mote Marine Laboratory—this summer, Mote will be offering an exciting, free, week-long opportunity for girls going into grades 6th to 8th. Mote is partnering again with SciGirls, a NSF-funded informational science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational program started by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) to spark girls’ interest and engagement in STEM.
In this SciGirls program, girls will have the chance to delve into the world of STEM and explore topics and career paths in marine biology, chemistry, geology, physics and more. Girls will be immersed in different aspects of science and research through hands-on activities, games, team building, critical thinking and reflection. In one exercise of a daily STEM challenge, the girls will use their creativity, physics and the tools around them to build an apparatus that may be able to transport sick and injured marine animals.
Last year, the program was spread out over a series of weekends, but this year, Community Engagement Coordinator Elaina Todd decided it would be more beneficial for the girls to turn it into a week-long summer camp.
“One of the main advantages to condensing the Mote SciGirls camp into a week-long format is that we can really keep the excitement level high for the girls and the information fresh in their brains to build on each day,” Todd said. “Plus, the girls form awesome bonds when they are together all day every day.”
No one has to be an expert in STEM to participate in this program. Mote is looking for curious students who have an interest in participating in inquiry-based challenges and projects, meeting female STEM role models from the Sarasota/Bradenton community, and learning about Mote’s research and conservation programs.
Spaces are limited for this FREE program, so be sure to sign-up for an amazing week of experiences, learning and getting excited about STEM!
Register for the 2018 program here.
If you have any questions about the Mote SciGirls camp, you can contact Elaina Todd at etodd@mote.org.
Program Dates:
Saturday, June 30th: Meet and Greet, 10-11:30 a.m.
Monday, July 2nd through Friday, July 6th: SciGirls Camp Sessions, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday, July 6th: Family Night, 4-6 p.m.
At the end of the camp, the girls will have the opportunity to show-off their work to their parents and guardians at the Family Night event.
Please note: participants are required to commit to attend all of these sessions.