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DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Women make up almost 50 percent of the workforce in the United States but only a quarter of those women are working in science or mathematics-related fields, a separation that begins around middle school.
"Some people say it's because they don't have as many female role models in science. Some say it's just confidence in pursuing those subjects. There's not necessarily one correct answer," said Centre College sophomore Ceci Vollbrecht.
Regardless of the cause, Vollbrecht and some of her classmates are doing what they can to reverse the trend — starting with girls at the Boyle County Middle School.
"Our goal is to keep them interested, do fun stuff with science, keep them active in it, provide role models for the ones who are pursuing higher level science — and college in general," she said.
Vollbrecht and her classmates have formed GEMS — Girls in Engineering, Math and Science — a mentoring program that meets after school at BCMS in an effort to grow the scientific interest in the next generation of girls.
"We have a lot of fun with them."
It began last spring, while in Vollbrecht's freshman year at Centre College, when science entertainer Doktor Kaboom performed at the Norton Center for the Arts.
"We went to talk with him in the morning as he was setting up about the importance of science outreach and how being scientists today should involve some communication of science to the public," said Lenny Demoranville, assistant principal of chemistry and adviser for GEMS at the college.
Afterward, Vollbrecht came to him to ask if there was a program like GEMS in Boyle County. She had been involved as a leader in one in high school and wanted the opportunity to participate again.
"She got it going from the ground up," Demoranville said. "She really has been the driving force for it."
They got in touch with Julie Harris, a teacher at the middle school and GEMS was born.
"This group has been everything I thought it would become and a whole lot more," Harris said. "All of the Centre girls are such inspirations for our girls in terms of their character and the goals they are pursuing for their lives."
GEMS is an after-school program and generally meets at the middle school. There are eight girls from Centre involved, Vollbrecht said, and about 10 middle-schoolers, but she hopes that number will continue to grow.
While still in the planning stages, the question of funding came up and the answer was a mini-grant discovered by Vollbrecht, Demoranville explained.
The grant, funded by the National Girls Collaborative Project, brought $1,000 to the GEMS program.
"It requires that you partner with a community group, so it was already a natural match," said Demoranville, who helped Vollbrecht with the initial writing of the grant. "She was successful in getting it, which is really kind of cool.
"Traditionally, the undergraduates aren't doing grant writing . she wrote the grant, she now has to administer the grant — there are conditions when you get money. Now she has to put together the reports, keep up with the attendance and make sure that all of those pieces get together."
"It was an interesting process," Vollbrecht said about writing the grant application. "Dr. Demoranville was great help and it was a good thing to experience."
Work to maintain the grant is tedious and includes documenting hours, number of people, plans and more, but Vollbrecht said she doesn't regret it.
"It's worth it if we can expand our program," she said.
Vollbrecht explained besides purchasing projects for the girls, they will use the money to take them on field trips to expose them to the world of science.
Trips include a recent one to Centre, where the girls were able to look at the school's research lab and meet professionals, and an upcoming one to the University of Kentucky Engineers Day, which promises students the opportunity to learn more about engineering and related fields.
"I am so glad they were able to get this grant for our group because it provides the funds the girls need to do neat projects. Plus, it provides the funds to do extra things," Harris said.
Currently, GEMS is only available at the Boyle County Middle School, but Vollbrecht hopes to someday expand to other schools.
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