Girls Realizing Options through Open-Sim Virtual Experiences (GROOVE)
Funded by The National Institutes of Health
The Miami Science Museum has again partnered with the Department of Psychology at the University of Miami, and the New York Hall of Science, to create GROOVE (Girls Realizing Options through Open-Sim Virtual Experiences). GROOVE is a 5-year research study and yearly summer program for middle school girls focused on nutrition and physical activity. The summer program activities will include virtual world experiences designing food trucks and healthy menus. Real world experiences will include a dance competition and a walkathon. In addition, GROOVE will provide participating girls with STEM career awareness and emphasize family involvement throughout each program.
Girls RISEnet
Funded by the National Science Foundation
The Miami Science Museum serves as the lead museum in the Girls RISEnet National Museum Network, in collaboration with the Association of Science-Technology Centers and SECME, Inc. This innovative project is strengthening the professional capacity of informal science educators to engage and motivate minority girls to explore and pursue science and engineering careers.
Please visit the project website to find out more about the project. You can also explore the dynamic listing of research and resources on engaging girls in engineering, STEM learning, gender equity and diversity, cultural competence and more.
Girls Engineering Competition Open (GECO)
Funded by the Kennedy Family Foundation
This initiative addresses the need to widen the engineering pipeline by raising awareness of and interest in science and engineering among middle school girls. The Museum will organize engineering training workshops for 120 girls and their teachers, led by Museum staff and four female mentors from the University of Miami. The project will culminate in a day of engineering challenges and a Family Day at the Museum. GECO's goals are to increase girls' content knowledge in electrical engineering and motivate them to pursue advanced courses in mathematics and science. The program will also increase teacher awareness for promoting gender equity in STEM education and support parent involvement in their daughter's science and technology education aspirations.
Science Program Inspiring Creative Exhibits (SPICE)
Funded by the JP Morgan Chase Foundation
An afterschool and summer program for female students in grades 6-8, SPICE addresses the need to cultivate diversity in preparing the next generation of female scientists. A total of 44 girls were selected from Charles Drew Middle School, where more than 90% of the students qualify for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program. Participants meet afterschool twice a month and attend a three-week summer academy, where they work collaboratively in small teams to create interactive museum exhibits. The program will create a model for engaging middle school girls in science that guides them through the design of their own exhibits related to science topics of interest to them. SPICE supports the development of girls' interest in science, self-esteem, use of technology, and communication skills.
Raising Interest in Science & Engineering (RISE)
Funded by the U. S. Department of Education
Building on previous collaborations with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and SECME, Inc., RISE aims to raise awareness of, and interest in, engineering and advanced technology among high school girls. The project includes Saturday workshops, a four-week summer design institute, internships and college tours for girls; professional development for science and mathematics teachers at participating high schools, and parent involvement activities.
