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Dubbed GAINS, short for Girls Advancing in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), the network aims to build a strong female STEM community amongst member schools’ students and alumnae and "to provide these constituencies with role models who are interested in sharing and discussing their experiences in STEM-related fields."
The network will also help establish mentor relationships between network members and provide networking opportunities within these fields.
“While it’s well documented that girls are capable of pursuing and excelling in STEM subjects at the highest levels, girls and women are severely underrepresented in academic and professional arenas," Greenwich Academy Head of School Molly King said in a statement. "We need to encourage girls interested in STEM fields through interactions with female role models. Such relationships enhance self-confidence, increase awareness of career options and develop and empower female STEM leaders on a national and global scale.”
Members may connect with each other through posts, blogs and group discussions, and virtual mentoring events held twice a year.
The first GAINS virtual mentoring event is being held from Monday to Nov. 15. Each mentor will post on a topic related to her area of expertise or experience, prompting students and mentors to write back with questions and comments.
“Our mentors, all accomplished women, have been incredibly generous in sharing their time and knowledge with the GAINS community," Director of Greenwich Academy's Duff Center for STEM Initiatives Ann Decker said in the statement. "Girls in our member schools will now benefit from a unique opportunity to network with both peers and professionals from across the country and will have a supportive forum in which to discussion STEM-related topics of interest.”
In addition to Greenwich Academy, member schools include Castilleja in Palo Alto, Calif., Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tenn., Hathaway Brown in Cleveland, Ohio, Hockaday School in Dallas, Tex., and Marymount in New York, N.Y.
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