The Georgia Southern University College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) has signed a memorandum of understanding to partner with the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. The partnership will provide girls with access to opportunities in STEM education.
“This is a wonderful partnership that will enable Georgia Southern faculty in STEM disciplines to work with local Girl Scout leaders and girls,” said COSM Dean Delana Gajdosik-Nivens.
The alliance will involve consultation on scientific displays and programming by faculty and interns at the Girl Scouts’ GIRL Center in Savannah, as well as trips to the Armstrong and Statesboro campuses. Girl Scouts will also be able to take tours and do hands-on lab experiments on both campuses, which could help them earn badges, including one for STEM Career Exploration.
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia CEO Sue Else said the Girl Scouts will benefit from the expertise of COSM faculty members.
“Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia is thrilled to be partnering with Georgia Southern’s College of Science and Mathematics,” she said. “Providing girls with the opportunity to see they belong and can succeed in the areas of STEM is very important to Girl Scouts. We know the expertise and passion of STEM brought by the faculty and Georgia Southern students will encourage Girl Scouts to explore the various STEM fields and become excited about seeing themselves in those fields.”
Gajdosik-Nivens said she wants Georgia Southern student interns to lead research projects at Camp Low, a Girls Scout camp on Rose Dhu Island in Savannah. The interns will work with the Girl Scout campers on projects that showcase the uniqueness of coastal Georgia’s ecology, and teach the girls about wetland conservation, coastal erosion, water chemistry and sustainability.
“Projects such as these are a tangible result of the Alliance for Women in STEM, a five-year-old initiative that brings faculty and students together with industry and community partners to discuss and learn about issues facing girls and women in STEM careers,” Gajdosik-Nivens said.
