Wareham Middle School Students Attend STEM4Girls Event at UMass Dartmouth

Twenty Wareham Middle School students recently attended STEM4Girls and spent a day at UMass Dartmouth exploring STEM careers through interactive labs and engaging presentations. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)

WAREHAM — Young women from Wareham Middle School (WMS) spent a day immersing themselves in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at UMass Dartmouth during STEM4Girls, held on Oct. 17.

Twenty WMS students attended the event, which inspires girls to explore STEM careers through hands-on activities and engaging presentations.

Students began their day in the auditorium and heard from a NASA employee and two UMass students, who shared their experiences in the STEM fields and answered questions.

Participants also learned about several historical women who helped shape science, technology and space exploration, including physicist and astronaut Sally Ride, who was the first American woman to fly in space; physicist and chemist Marie Curie, who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize; and engineer, physician and former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, who was the first African American woman to travel into space.

Students then split into groups for interactive lab activities related to the Blue Economy, which focuses on using the ocean sustainably to drive economic growth while protecting water-related ecosystems.

Wareham students designed a prosthetic leg for a dog, created biodegradable plastic and explored marine biology by dissecting a squid. Girls saw STEM concepts in action as they collaborated to think creatively and solve problems.

The day ended with a closing ceremony, where students from an all-girls STEM school shared their personal stories and passion for STEM education. The students also performed a step routine that celebrated confidence, community and female empowerment, while showing that there is still room for fun and friendship while studying STEM.

“The girls had an incredible time and were so enthusiastic about their experience that they asked if they could attend again next year,” said art teacher Andrea Ericson, who chaperoned the trip. “It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage in hands-on learning, connect with inspiring role models and explore the many possibilities available to them in STEAM. Most importantly, they left feeling inspired by the creativity, accomplishments and power of girls and women in STEM fields!”

WMS students also enjoyed a taste of life at UMass with a lunch in the dining hall and received STEM4Girls T-shirts, which many students proudly wore throughout the day.

“It is so important that young girls have opportunities such as STEM4Girls,” said Principal Dr. Sara Russo. “Events where girls hear from other women in the field and gain hands-on experience encourage them to further explore STEM. I was very proud to attend STEM4Girls alongside these students and watch their curiosity, determination and excitement throughout the day’s activities.”

“Through programs like STEM4Girls, we are able to fulfill our District’s goal of helping our students discover the greatest versions of themselves,” said Superintendent Dr. Amy Hartley-Matteson. “These types of interactive events open doors for students and allow them to explore career options they might not otherwise consider. We were proud to see our students take full advantage of everything the day offered, and are grateful to STEM4Girls for organizing such an inspiring day.”

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Students explored marine biology by dissecting a squid. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)

Students worked in groups to participate in lab activities throughout the day. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)

The day began in the UMass Dartmouth auditorium with a presentation from a NASA employee and two UMass students. (Photo Courtesy Wareham Public Schools)