FORT BEND ISD (November 21, 2024) – At the district’s fourth annual Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science event, known as GEMS, a record 240 girls in grades K-5 attended at host campus Anne Sullivan Elementary School on Saturday.
GEMS is an academic and enrichment conference for elementary school girls where they are exposed to different types of science through creative hands-on activities.
The event kicked off the morning with guest speaker and NASA Flight Controller Dr. Sandra Moore, an interactive dry ice show featuring “Jurassic Jill,” and a cheer performance before delving into the afternoon classes provided by Success Zone vendors: American Robotics Academy, Black Rocket, Building Brains, Inventors & Engineers, Mad Science, and Nexplore.
“I felt like I wanted to be like them when I grow up,” fifth grader Elissa said about the presenters, later elaborating that she wanted to be an astronaut.
Moore from NASA said that as a child, she never got the kind of exposure to STEM careers that GEMS offers girls today.
“I love to share what I get to do,” she said. “It's pretty unique for the kids to see, especially at this age, that these types of jobs and careers are possible.”
After presentations took place, the students were able to participate in different classes provided by the Success Zone vendors.
Girls in grades K-2 had the opportunity to build with LEGOs in the Building Brains class, make and test makeshift wheelchairs in the Inventors & Engineers class, and examine their fingerprints up close in the Mad Science class.
Girls in grades 2-5 were able to build with LEGOs in the American Robotics Academy class, learn about 3D modeling in the Black Rocket class, and use 3D pens in the Nexplore class.
“I think it’s a great thing for girls,” parent Marisol Francesconi said. “It’s an opportunity for their future, for them to have a good career.”
After four years of GEMS events, Fort Bend ISD has hosted students from 33 elementary schools in the district and seven non-district schools, bringing total attendance over the years to 739 girls.
“GEMS is about having students find something that they’re excited and passionate about and learning how they can take that and turn it into a career opportunity in the future,” FBISD Director of Extended Learning Kelly Keegan said.
Extended Learning organizers are working to expand the 2025 GEMS event to about 350 girls. They will begin planning next year and are scouting school locations.
