Girls Empowered with Math and Science Workshops

We’re hosting our Girls Empowered with Math and Science (GEM) workshops for girls ages 8-15 at the Fort Walton Beach Library the 2nd Saturdays of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. CALL FWB LIBRARY TO REGISTER: 850-833-9590

Our GEMS Workshops are aimed at providing girls with hands-on activities and experiences to keep them involved in STEM. Each month, GEMS will study the work of a renowned female scientist while engaging in hands-on lessons. GEMS is a free drop-off program that is fun, educational, and shows the numerous ways STEM topics can be pursued both in their future educations and as potential career pathways. If we support a young woman in STEM, then she can change the world.

January 14: Lauren Esposito/Arachnologist
Do creepy crawlers like spiders and scorpions pique your interest? For this GEMS workshop, learn all about our arachnids with research thanks to scientist Lauren Esposito. GEMS students will further expand their knowledge on these creatures by participating in activities that incorporate an arachnid’s habitation, their skeletal system, and their zootoxins.

 
February 11: Inge Lehmann/Earth Scientist/Seismologist
Have you ever felt the Earth shake and wondered what was happening? In this workshop, GEMS will learn about seismologist Inge Lehmann’s research on seismic wave data and how it affects the Earth’s interior. GEMS will engage in various seismology activities that teach students about the Earth’s structure, earthquakes, and how to measure seismic waves. 

March 11: Corina Newsome/Ornithologist
Flap, fly and flock on over to the Fort Walton Beach Library to engage in a lesson all about birds! During this workshop, GEMS will learn about ornithologist Corina Newsome’s research on Seaside Sparrows and how these sparrows affect our ecosystem. GEMS will also engage in various bird-themed activities that teach students about basic bird biology, bird identification, ecology, and conservation. 

 
April 8: Tiera Guinn Fletcher/Aerospace Engineer
Get ready to blast off into space! GEMS will be learning about Tiera Guinn Fletcher, who is a lead aerospace engineer for NASA, working on the Space Launch System. During this workshop, GEMS will engage in various aerospace engineering activities and learn how to design, build, and plan structures fit for space exploration.

 
May 13: Laura Boykin/Computational Biologist
Have you ever wondered what a supercomputer is, and what they are used for? In this GEMS workshop, students will learn all about computational biologist Laura Boykin. She uses supercomputing and genomics to help farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. GEMS will practice their own computational biology skills as they engage in hands-on activities to learn all about coding and genomics!