GEMS 2010 CONFERENCE A HUGE SUCCESS     See info on GEMS 2009  2008  2007  2006  2005
by Fran Lovaas, Program Chair           View video on AAUW GEMS Program.  Get info on starting a GEMS program. 


The annual Girls Excelling in Math and Science Conference took place on Saturday March 13th at Dogwood Elementary School. Almost 200 5th and 6th grade girls from local elementary schools came together to participate in 21 workshops focusing on math, science and technology. Our Branch of AAUW started the Conference over 18 years ago, and now Dogwood’s GT teacher, Linda Martin, and the School’s corporate sponsor, Lockheed Martin work with volunteers from the Reston/Herndon Branch of AAUW, to make the yearly event a great success. 

The inspiring keynote speaker from Lockheed Martin, Shameka McCaskill, literally danced her way into our hearts and got the Conference off to an exciting start as the groups met together in the Dogwood Cafeteria. After this high note, we were introduced to all of the terrific professional women who would lead the workshops. The students then went to their respective classrooms.  The workshops were set up to inspire the students with hands-on projects whose titles included: “The Gum Drop Challenge”, “Radioactive Ping Pong Balls”, “Crime Solving with Photoshop”, Critter Care”, Helicopter Design”, and many others. 

There were also adult workshops for parents to help them work with their students in providing information on course study, GEMS Clubs, financial aid, etc. It is worthwhile to note that one of our members, Laura Jones (who has been working with the Conference since its beginning years), has been presenting one of the parent workshops for many years. We have also had a former GEMS student return to present a workshop and work on the Conference. 

Our wonderful Branch volunteers spent time before the Conference working on the steering committee, helping find presenters, working on publicity (for a write-up on the Conference by the Observer Newspapers go to our AAUW Branch website and read their great article), and making student and parent reminder calls. We also provided items for the student folders and spent Friday evening filling folders for students, parents and presenters. The day of the Conference we registered the students (including over 40 walk-ins), directed students, parents and presenters in the halls and helped serve the breakfast provided by Lockheed Martin. Once again, we had over 25 AAUW Branch members and potential members work to make this exciting day a positive experience for all involved. Many thanks to all of these volunteers and we hope to see you again next year.

Read article in Reston Connection at http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=326851&paper=71&cat=104