Learning about electricity while developing leadership skills, self-confidence, efficacy and content knowledge were goals of the Meadowthorpe is Serving Sisters (MISS ) mentoring program. MISS Electricity was one of the mini-grant programs members heard about at the recent AAUW Kentucky Convention. Members were given presentations by the recent National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) mini-grant winners in their home state.
On April 29, at the Kentucky State Police Central Laboratory, Kentucky members gathered and learned about the grant programs and the accomplishments of the girls who were a part of them. Poster boards brought by grant administrators provided visual impact for those in attendance.
The MISS Electricity program gave girls Snap Circuit, Jr. educational kits and had them learn from university faculty. The presentation showcased not only what the fifth grade girls learned, but how they took the information to the fourth graders in their school and taught them valuable lessons about electricity. Watching the presentation, Kentucky member and AAUW NGCP Liaison Ellen Nolan thought to herself, “I wish I had an opportunity like that when I was young!”
The “Wonders of Water” camp was also featured, which brought girls to a local pond where they watched aquatic life hatch and grow and used real testing kits to measure aeration and pollution. Scientists helped the girls understand the results of the testing and identify the aquatic life. There was a second grant given out that focused on water safety and quality, “Wolf Run Water Watch” had girls examine two streams that have been marked as polluted by the state water agency. Female scientists helped lead the girls on field expeditions and discussed their careers and how they positively impact the community. The grantee reported that the girls were extremely engaged in the activity and many commented that they had never done anything like it before.
Kentucky members were able to see how these programs directly affected the girls in their communities and how the grant from NGCP allowed for the purchase of equipment that would not have been accessible otherwise. These types of programs are allowing girls to be exposed to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and bringing these careers to life! These projects were great opportunities for girls to see how working in a STEM field can allow them to help their community and have careers where they learn something new every day.
Learn more about AAUW and NGCP visiting our website, Facebook page or following us on Twitter @AAUWSTEM
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MISS Electricity is very helpful to those who would like to learn the facts about Electricity. This program is useful for Electronic courses. It;s good to know that Kentucky State University do offer this program.