Wayne State University’s “GO-GIRL” (Gaining Options-Girls Investigate Real Life) program, designed to promote interest in and awareness of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related careers to boost mathematics skills and confidence in seventh-grade girls, is now accepting applications for the winter 2008 semester. The 10-week Saturday program, hosted by Wayne State’s College of Education, will launch the winter semester on Jan. 26, 2008 and culminate with graduation ceremonies on April 26. GO-GIRL is free and open to a limited number of seventh-grade female students.

Middle school students interested in participating at Wayne State may visit http://www.gogirls.wayne.edu and download the application forms. The application deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 12. Further information about the GO-GIRL project is also available by contacting Professor Sally Roberts, faculty advisor, at s.k.roberts@wayne.edu.

Since its inception in 2002, GO-GIRL has helped more than 300 middle school girls from public and private schools in the Detroit metropolitan area develop mathematical confidence, skills and conceptual understanding by integrating mathematics and social science research into a single-sex, technology-rich environment supported by university student mentors.

Initially funded by a National Foundation grant, and collaboratively developed by faculty and staff from the University of Michigan Institute for Research on Women and Gender and Wayne State’s College of Education, GO-GIRL was developed in response to research findings suggesting a decline in interest in mathematics among middle school girls and minority youth. Pamela Trotman Reid, the newly appointed President of Saint Joseph College, Connecticut, founded the GO-GIRL program.

Sally K. Roberts, assistant professor in Wayne State University’s College of Education and faculty advisor for the program, says seventh-grade is a pivotal time for girls in their math and science comprehension. “Up until this point, boys and girls maintain generally an equal performance level in mathematics and science, then a change in perspective occurs. We send messages that girls are not as capable in the sciences and mathematics as boys," Roberts says. “GO-Girl provides a remedy to that perspective as the girls develop new skills and increased confidence.”

Pre-post comparisons indicate that GO-GIRL positively impacts participants’ confidence in their ability to do well in mathematics. Roberts believes that the structure of the GO-GIRL program is an empowering experience to the young girls.

GO-GIRL expanded nationally during the 2005-2007 academic years with support from a National Science Foundation Gender in Science and Engineering Grant, awarded to Roosevelt University, Chicago. The grant helped support the development of sistership programs at Howard University, Washington DC; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Roosevelt University, Chicago; Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington; and Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage.

The program has received contributions in the past from the Michigan Department of Education; RGK Foundation; Wayne State University College of Education; and private contributions, and is seeking support from the community to sustain the program at Wayne State University. To find out how you can help, contact the Dean’s Office in the College of Education at 313-577-1620.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 11 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students.