GEMS camp to be held over the summer

This summer, three one-week sessions of GEMS (Girls Empowered by Math & Science) camp will be held for rising fourth grade and fifth grade girls at Sussex County Technical School in Sparta, NJ during the weeks of July 15-19, July 22-26, and August 5-9 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Started in 2018 by Sussex County Technical School senior Larissa Collins, the GEMS program aims to engage girls in math and science and equip them with the confidence to pursue STEM in the future. Throughout the week, attendees will be introduced to high school level math and science concepts through hands-on projects and learn about influential female role models in STEM fields. Students will conduct experiments and make lava lamps, slime, volcanoes and more.
The GEMS program is unique in that it is run by young women for young girls. “I think that representation [in STEM fields] is really important, especially for girls, because you don’t see a lot of women in STEM when learning science in school.” Said Collins in a statement. “If young girls see and learn about women that have been successful in the field, then that’s more motivation for them to see themselves in it.”
The program’s first year was a success. With new sponsorship from community partner Thorlabs and returning support from the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hamburg, GEMS will welcome 75 Sussex County girls entering fourth and fifth grade into this year’s camp. GEMS is free of cost to students attending and enrollment is currently open.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis. To register your daughter or receive more information, contact Larissa Collins at larissaxcollins@gmail.com.