Individuals and small groups participate in weekly meetings, take field trips to engineering sites and museums, and do fun, hands-on activities. There they can learn what it's like to be an investigative engineer who designs and builds roller coasters, bridges, and skyscrapers, and then tests their endurance when a tornado strikes. A leadership institute prepares girls entering grades 10 and 11 for leadership roles in the sessions for younger girls. The program provides interactive problem solving as well as opportunities for girls and college women to ask professionals about SMET jobs, careers, and fields. In sum, Connections is a multitiered program designed to foster girls' interest in SMET through a combination of developing skills, building relationships, enlarging visions, and offering educational opportunities.
Connections is a way for girls and women of all ages to connect to each other and to science.
One of the ways we do this is through our science and math programs. We assume that girls are interested in math, science, and technology and can be successful. This spring, for example, we are offering Super Science, Science Adventure, Math without a Pencil, The Science Chef, and Kitchen Chemistry. At the middle-school level, we offer special structured programs and focus on homework help and tutoring in math and science. Women from the community lead activities, provide technical assistance, speak about their science careers, and host girls at their science, math, and technology workplaces.