About GEMS - Girls Engaged in Mathematics and Science

The GEMS program for middle level girls has been active in the local community since 1994 through a partnership of the Champaign Community Unit School District and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. The first website for the program was created by a team of girls using NCSA Mosiac developed at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. GEMS was created as a way to encourage girls to consider mathematics-oriented and science-oriented careers, to gain confidence in doing mathematics and science, and to take advanced level mathematics and science courses in high school. The GEMS program has provided participants with visits research laboratories, guest speakers, after-school activities, a network of female role models, and opportunities to work side-by-side with a mentor in laboratories across the community.

Astronomy Programming
GEMS has recently partnered with the Department of Astronomy at the University of Illinois to offer a special Spring/Summer program, focussed on introducing students to the rapidly expanding frontiers of digital astronomy. This program has been made possible through a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to Professor Robert Brunner. For more information on this particular program, see our 2007-2008 Workshop page.

Girls on the Grid
As the GEMS program grows, so do its activities to include the use of emerging technologies and communication tools such as the Access Grid. The Girls on the Grid component of GEMS utilizes Access Grid technology ( www.accessgrid.org ) to link girls in grades 6-12 to peers, scientists, and leading women in science and mathematics world-wide.