Wayne State GO-GIRL: Sustainability Through Service Learning

Wayne State University

Sally Roberts, EdD, Fariha Ghazi, BA, Sarah Hassan, BS

What is GO-GIRL?

● The Gaining Options: Girls Investigate Real Life (GO-GIRL) program includes a suite of out-of-school STEM initiatives for adolescent girls in grades 7 -12.

● Mission: to increase the competence and confidence of adolescent girls in the areas of mathematics, technology, scientific thinking, and communication by engaging them in experiences that promote an interest and capacity to pursue STEM related careers.

GO-GIRL PROGRAMS

● Launched in 2002 with support from the National Science Foundation

● Targets 7th grade girls during a Saturday enrichment program

● Expanded in 2009 to provide Keeping in Touch workshops for former participants and Parent Cafés

PROGRAM GOALS Increase the number of girls entering college with both the capacity and the intent to pursue STEM careers

• Increase and Sustain Engagement through High School

• Build Capacity to Pursue STEM Disciplines

• Provide Continuity throughout High School

Over 1000 girls, 250 undergraduate mentors and over 50 faculty members have participated since 2002

SATURDAY ENRICHMENT • 8-week Saturday program with 7th grade students

from the metro-Detroit area

• No cost to participants

• University mentor guided

• Explorations in laboratories across campus and with university library resources

• Team-led discussions related to career options, and mobile app development for high school and college preparation.

MENTORING

● Evolution of the mentoring component

● Expanded development of mentoring relationships both between and among groups participating in the program

KEEPING IN TOUCH (KiT)

● Girls work side by side with their assigned mentor during laboratory classes taught by STEM faculty and participate in college campus experiences

● Mentors and girls reconnect during the academic year for a variety of on campus activities

NEW INITIATIVE • GO-GIRLs explore health-related STEM disciplines

during our latest initiative supported by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities.

• Ongoing mentoring experiences included through out summer residential academies themed around health-related STEM fields.

• Girls grades 8th – 12th with 1 undergraduate mentor per 3 girls

• Titles: Just Breath, In a Heartbeat, It’s Genetic!,

Your Brain on STEM, Strong GIRLS Strong Bones

SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES

•Although universities are invested in outreach programs funding to invest in research is not generally available.

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES

• Developing a service learning course to support university students and out-reach programs

• Women’s studies and pre-student teaching (2002 – 2015)

• Honors college requirement (2016 – Present)

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES

• Pay it back and pay it forward through gift giving account

• Kroger

• Community Building

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES

• Partnering with STEM faculty on the broadening participation component for the National Science Foundation career development grants and other scientific submissions.

• GGs go Nano, Energetic/ Material GIRLS/ GGs go cyber/ University of Michigan Engineering and Underwater Robotics

• Community collaborations with outreach programs for diversification

• Detroit Metro Airport, Michigan Border Patrol

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES

• University Collaborations with other colleges to support diversity recruitment efforts

• Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, GGs get Physical (sciences)

GO-GIRL is community where girls, parents, mentors, and faculty support the development of STEM

identities and create a sense of belonging.

Voices from the GO-GIRL Community • “I will keep with me the impact of empowerment & respect that

changes the entire confidence & motivation levels of the young girls we work with.” – Khadija, Undergraduate Mentor

• “My confidence, social and communication skills were good prior to Go-Girl. Being in the program helped to reinforce those skills.

The greatest impact was my career choice and major. The program opened up my eyes to career choices that I didn't know

existed.” - Minyara, GO-GIRL

• “My daughter's interest in science has grown tremendously. She chose to attend a challenging high school because GO-GIRL

stresses education and made her believe she can and will be successful. No words to describe how much of an asset Dr. Sally

is! I am so grateful.” – Doris, Mother