Girls Empowered with Math and Science Workshops

Our GEMS Workshops are aimed at providing girls with hands-on activities and  experiences to keep them involved in STEM. Each month, GEMS will study  the work of a renowned female scientist while engaging in hands-on  lessons. GEMS is a free drop-off program that is fun, educational, and shows  the numerous ways STEM topics can be pursued both in their future  educations and as potential career pathways. If we support a young woman  in STEM, then she can change the world.

Second Saturday of Each Month

​10:30 am- 12:00 pm

Location

Fort Walton Beach Library

185 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

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Cost & Registration 

Workshops are free

Pre-registraion is required so that there are enough materials

To register, please call the Fort Walton Beach Library at 850-833-9590

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Program sponsored by MTSI

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

October 12: Christina Koch - Flight Engineer Blast off with us as we celebrate Christina Koch, the Artemis mission specialist and flight engineer heading to the moon! Koch will be the first woman to walk on the moon, marking a historic milestone in space exploration. On this mission, GEMS will learn all about Koch's lunar destination as well as her crucial role as a mission specialist. From conducting groundbreaking tests to ensuring the spacecraft's systems operate flawlessly, participants will design, build, and test their own spacecraft, relating their projects to the work of Christina Koch and her mission to the Moon.

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November 9: Dr. Jessica Fagerstrom - Medical Physicist Get ready to see inside the human body like Dr. Jessica Fagerstrom! As a specialist in radiation therapy physics, Dr. Fagerstrom works in a field that blends physics and engineering with medicine, helping to treat cancer patients using radiation. In this workshop, GEMS will model radioactive decay and create their own X-rays, diving into the fascinating world of medical imaging. They’ll discover how doctors use cutting-edge technology to peer inside the human body and make healthcare safer and smarter.

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December 14: Jill Taylor- Puffinologist Dive into the incredible world of puffins with a workshop inspired by award-winning puffinologist, Jill Taylor. GEMS will dive into how these fascinating seabirds use water, diving, and swimming to hunt for fish. After learning about their amazing underwater skills, participants will create their own puffy puffin to take home. Get ready for a fun-filled dive into the science of these extraordinary birds!

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January 11: Ayah Bdeir- Inventor It’s time to unleash your creativity and explore the groundbreaking work of Ayah Bdeir, the visionary inventor behind LittleBits. First, GEMS will investigate these fun, modular electronic blocks and how they reveal the secrets behind everyday items we use. Then, they’ll get hands-on with LittleBits to design their own cool inventions just like Ayah, while discovering the science of circuits, sensors, and electronics. Let’s spark imagination and inspire the next generation of female inventors to dream big and create a world filled with possibilities!

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February 8: Marilyn Hamilton – Engineer Brace yourself as we roll into the exciting world of inventions and engineering with Marilyn Hamilton, the brilliant mind behind a groundbreaking lightweight wheelchair design! In this workshop, GEMS will think creatively, tackle fun problem-solving challenges, and innovate in ways that make a real difference in people’s lives, just like Hamilton. They will design their own device using cutting-edge technology while also exploring the science behind the use of these devices, our body’s movement, and how this technology can even be used in sports.

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March 8: Henrietta Swan Leavitt - Astronomer How far apart are the stars? GEMS will find out in this session, thanks to Henrietta Leavitt, who provided the tools to measure the universe. In the beginning of the 20th century, Leavitt used photographs recorded on plates of glass to find the link between a star’s light and its distance from earth. Like Leavitt, GEMS will learn to catalog stars and create a map of the galaxy. They’ll explore the world beyond our atmosphere and gain an appreciation for how big space really is!

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April 12: Maria Agata Olech - Mycologist

Learning about mycology? I’m lichen the sound of that! This week, GEMS will take off on an expedition with Maria Agata Olech to ex-spore the diverse world of fungi. GEMS will head to the arctic to learn how certain species can survive in extreme environments. Like Olech, they’ll be able to identify a variety of mushrooms, lichens, and other fungi. We all have so mush room to learn and grow!

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May 10: Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant - Wildlife Ecologist Step into the wild with a workshop inspired by Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, a wildlife ecologist who specializes in carnivores. GEMS will explore food chains, discover what makes these animals top predators, and get up close with a sssssssspecial carnivore in person. Get ready for an exciting adventure into the world of nature’s fiercest hunters!

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​​*Workshop themes are subject to change depending on guest speakers. Stay tuned to this page for updates.