November 19, 2012

Wayne State's GO-GIRL program accepting applications for winter 2013 semester

Since 2002, Wayne State University’s College of Education has helped prepare girls for training and careers in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through the GO-GIRL program.

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. 3, 2012, for the winter 2013 semester.

The 10-week Saturday program, hosted by the College of Education, launches on January 26 and culminates with graduation ceremonies on April 27. GO-GIRL, which takes place on Wayne State's main campus, is free and open to a limited number of seventh-grade female students from Southeast Michigan.

“GO-GIRL is much more than a one-time intervention program,” said 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 gogirls.wayne.edu to submit an online application and recommendation. The application deadline is Monday, Dec. 3, 2012.

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 affects participants' confidence in their ability to do well in mathematics. For more information, write to Sally Roberts at gogirl@wayne.edu.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution of higher education offering 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.