It’s no secret that there is a lack of women in STEM, which is why it
is one of the core program pillars of Girl Scouts, and the inspiration
for Mairéad Murphy’s Gold Award project!
Even in high
school, Mairéad felt the lack of female representation in STEM,
motivating her to do something about it. Mairéad started a STEM Club
at her local middle school for girls in fifth-eighth grade to educate,
encourage and inspire more girls to engage in STEM activities and
careers.
Recognizing the importance of highlighting the
breadth of STEM careers, Mairéad developed a curriculum map that
guided the club to explore different areas of, and influential women
in, STEM each week. This allowed the girls to see how their current
interests could apply to different careers. Another key to the success
of the club was engaging the girls in creative and fun ways, while
allowing them to work at their own pace, usually not an option in the
classroom. The girls utilized the makerspace to explore their
interests, work on creative thinking, and create their own
inventions.
The program culminated in a final fair where
girls showcased projects highlighting different areas of STEM. The
learning won’t end there though, the curriculum developed by Mairéad
is ready for the next go-getter to pick up and share with another
group of eager students, and Mairéad’s new found passion for teaching
will likely benefit many girls for years to come.
Gold Award Girl Scout, Mairéad Murphy: STEM Club for Girls
26 Jun 2019
