Girls Doing STEM with 3M

This summer, GTA girls have gotten to participate in “Camp ExSEPtional: Summer Engagement Program (SEP)” Through this program, girls get to team up in activities surrounding a new topic every week. One of the weeks, the camp focused on STEM learning and experiences. GTA teamed up with 3M, one of our corporate sponsors, to put together a fun week for our girls. Led by Dawn Muyres, a Frontend Innovation Officer at 3M, the girls gained hands-on experience with science-based activities. The week focused on allowing GTA girls to learn about STEM topics in context and with purpose, emphasized the importance of relationships and mentoring, and empowered girls to gain confidence while working hands-on in a team.

Project 1: Building a wind-powered vehicle.

First, the girls were tasked with building their own wind-powered vehicles. They learned about renewable energy, the pros and cons of wind power, autonomous cars, and more. Additionally, the group walked through a real-world job description about an engineer actually working in automobile engineering. Then, given a specific “budget” and limited materials, they were tasked with building their own wind-powered vehicle. Finally, the girls presented their work to a team of judges from 3M, who awarded scores based on presentation, design, and a real test-drive of each vehicle.

Project 2: Making our own ice cream.

Without a doubt, the week’s big “cool factor” came with the opportunity for our girls to make their own ice cream using science! A spinoff of 3M’s “Visiting Wizards” program, in which 3M technical staff visits local schools to demo a fun science lesson, Dawn taught the girls about cryogenics, and led demonstrations with liquid nitrogen. Then, they girls got to get their hands dirty as they used the tools from the demonstration (and a few ice-cream-related ingredients) to make ice cream treats.

In addition to this hands-on project and the yummy snack that came from it, the girls learned about real-world scientist Dr. Maya Warren, who works for Cold Stone Creamery as an Ice Cream Scientist and the company’s Senior Director for International Research and Development. Maya’s background in chemistry and food science, coupled with her passion for ice cream, led her to this perfect-fit job, where she devotes her time to creating new ice cream flavors using science. Learning about this incredible woman of color who made her dreams a reality at the crossroads of research and ice cream was a valuable experience for our girls.

Project 3: Optics.

Lastly, the girls got to learn about optics. For much of Dawn’s career (inside and outside of 3M), optics has been one of her focuses and passions. She spent some time teaching the girls about her passions, her path, and the ways that optics might tie into the things they use every day. The girls learned about the ways that their cell phones, and AR/VR technologies use the science of optics to make our everyday lives more fun and interesting.

A huge thanks to 3M and Dawn for such a fun experience that equipped our girls with important knowledge as well as the confidence to see themselves as scientists, and the motivation to head forward into their future opportunities!