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By Bridget Turcotte
LYNN — Twenty-four girls explored science through a program sponsored by General Electric.
GE Girls, which started in Lynn in 2011, was the pilot of a company-wide program with 11 locations across the country. GE and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology partnered to pilot the program.
It’s intended to encourage girls to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) while strengthening leadership skills. During one week, a group of seventh graders, who go through an application process and are chosen by their teachers, complete various activities at the GE Aviation plant and MIT campus.
“The goal is mainly to spark an interest in STEM and STEM careers,” said Marisa Caliri, a GE camp leader. “They’re exposed to a lot of different aspects of STEM fields. We want them to get excited about taking advanced placement classes and to want to go to college.”
Throughout the week, they created their own flashlights and lip balm, and participated in a motorized LEGO car rally.
“They learn that this is a fun and exciting discipline,” Caliri said. “Just from talking to them at the barbeque, one girl told me she was going to programming camp this year. She’s applying to MIT for engineering.”
Caliri believes the program is paying off. About 90 percent of the children who have participated are now enrolled in advanced placement math and science classes. Many are applying to MIT and other technical schools for engineering, she said.
“This is the most exciting age group to work with,” said Amy Fitzgerald of MIT’s Edgerton Center in a statement. “They are still excited about new ideas and open to new experiences. The girls from Lynn have been a delightful, enthusiastic and thoughtful group to work with, each and every year.”
Participants from the camp’s first year are seniors in high school. Fifteen of them joined the group for an alumni day hosted by GE Oil and Gas in Billerica. They participated in STEM outreach activities and interview preparation exercises.
The alumni ended the day with a barbeque with the younger teens. They also worked together to create bracelets with a 3-D printer.
Caliri called it a good opportunity for the younger girls to interact with the older girls and learn from them.
“We hope that these girls will be inspired to pursue education and careers in STEM,” said camp leader Rachel Berg in a statement.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.
