During the 1997-98 school year twenty four of the forty nine Girls RISE summer participants were selected to attend a Saturday school year follow-up component. Selections were based upon participant interest and summer mentor evaluations of each girl's summer participation. For the school year program the girls were divided into four teams and met on alternating Saturdays at the Museum. Teams were mentored by female university engineering students. During the Saturday Academy, each team designed and built a table top demonstration which presented science and engineering concepts to Museum visitors. To complete their project, each team had to select a science/engineering topic; conduct research on the Internet; design and build the equipment; and create a presentation script. A Guidelines for presentations PDF document is availiable for download. You can download a PDF reader at http://www.adobe.com. While carrying out these tasks girls further strengthened engineering, technology and communication skills learned earlier during the summer component. At the end of the program the teams presented their science and engineering demonstrations to their families and Museum visitors. Below are some pictures and comments from participants during the 1997-1998 academic year program.

	"I'm grateful that I learned so much about circuits and electricity, since I now use those skills in life. I also think things through more carefully and scientifically."
"The best thing about the school year program was working in groups to create demonstrations to show to an audience. I learned a lot and presenting my hard work and getting applause makes me feel great!"
	"I learned a lot about science and engineering and got to know people who shared my interests."
"The best thing about the Saturday Academy was the demonstrating of our projects at the end. At first I was nervous but I got used to it. I also liked working in groups and making new friends."
	"I liked that I was able to apply what I learned in RISE to my school work and to apply what I learned in school to RISE."
"It was important to me to learn that I could do stuff boys can do (like building model bridges)."

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