In response to disturbing national studies that show a declining interest in math and science among adolescent girls, Wayne State’s College of Education and the University of Michigan Institute for Research on Women and Gender created GO-GIRL (Gaining Options: Girls Investigate Real Life).

Every Saturday morning for 10 weeks, the GO-GIRLs actually become social scientists, formulating their own research questions, making predictions, collecting data and evaluating their predictions. They collaborate in teams supported by university student mentors. In the process, they learn about mathematics, technology and career opportunities.

“We hope that the skills and the confidence that the girls gain during the program will translate to future academic success and influence the participants’ career awareness and aspirations,” says Sally
Roberts, assistant professor, College of Education.

The program is thriving, having served more than 200 seventh- grade girls from public and private schools in the metropolitan Detroit area since its inception in February 2002.

“Ultimately, we hope their experiences will lead to career choices in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionss.” says Roberts.