As the U.S. government reports that women hold less than 25 percent of the nation's jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, Wayne State University's College of Education is reaching out to girls to increase their awareness and competence in related areas of study.

The GO-GIRL (Gaining Options-Girls Investigate Real Life) program, designed to promote interest in STEM-related careers and to boost mathematics skills and confidence in seventh-grade girls, is accepting applications through Dec. 1, 2011, for the winter 2012 semester.

The 10-week Saturday program, hosted by the College of Education, will launch Jan. 28 and culminate with graduation ceremonies April 28. GO-GIRL, which is held on Wayne State's main campus, is free and open to a limited number of seventh-grade female students.

Elise Lowell, 18, is a GO-GIRL alumna and current honors program student at Wayne State. Lowell is studying biology and hopes to pursue a career in research and academia.

"GO-GIRL was an excellent introduction into the science fields," said Lowell, a Grosse Pointe South High School graduate. "It was a great way to meet peers interested in the same subjects and get acquainted with Wayne State's campus. The experience was definitely beneficial; even waking up early on Saturday mornings was helpful to set a precedent of being a hardworking student."

A reunion of all past GO-GIRL participants and mentors is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the College of Education. The event is free and includes a university resource fair, networking, prizes and an ice cream social.

"GO-GIRL is much more than a one-time intervention program," said Wayne State Assistant Professor of Education Sally Roberts, co-founder and director of the program. "It is a community that provides support and encouragement for both parents and their daughters as they prepare for college and beyond."

Parents and students interested in the program should visit http://www.gogirls.wayne.edu/ and download the application forms. The application deadline is Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011.

Since its inception in 2002, GO-GIRL has helped more than 600 middle school girls from public and private schools throughout Metro Detroit develop mathematical confidence, skills and conceptual understanding. The program was collaboratively developed by faculty from the Wayne State University College of Education and the University of Michigan Institute for Research on Women and Gender, in response to the decline in mathematics interest and achievement among girls and minority youth during middle school.

Pre-post comparisons indicate that GO-GIRL positively impacts participants' confidence in their ability to do well in mathematics. For more information, email Sally Roberts at gogirl@wayne.edu.

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Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students.