Girard Students Learn About STEM Careers and how to be STEM Ambassadors
Throughout this school year Girard high school scholars have been participating in interactive and engaging STEM programs to expand their knowledge and increase their awareness of STEM-related careers.
Seven students have participated in the Ignite STEM program through a partnership with the Philadelphia Education Fund. Senior Amadu Mansaray and sophomores KeArie Harris, Symphanee Patterson and Alaiyah Madison have attended the fall and spring sessions. Juniors Tristin Starkie-Bozeman and Makai Smith went through the program last fall, and senior Dammon Harding-Rogers is participating this spring.
The Ignite STEM program helps increase high school students’ awareness of postsecondary and STEM career pathways through visits to colleges and STEM workforce job sites. Students attend one online session and one in-person gathering every week.
The nine-week spring session included a STEM field experience where they visited Fox Chase Cancer Center and interacted with faculty, performed data analysis, and learned scientific research methods while seeing how research contributes to real-world cancer discoveries.
The virtual sessions covered topics such as engineering concepts, artificial intelligence, materials science, and real-world math applications. During the in-person sessions, students work together on hands-on engineering projects where they design, build, test, and improve solutions using project-based learning.
Chief Science Officer Program
Girard juniors Hamza Logan, Gabe Grant and Jayden McCutcheon are participating in the Chief Science Officer program which offers training in how to serve as STEM ambassadors and be liaisons for STEM opportunities in their communities.
The Chief Science Officer program is an international initiative dedicated to elevating student voices through leadership opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This program helps cultivate a diverse network of student leaders, encouraging active engagement and collaboration.
“I’ve been interested in STEM my whole high school career, and Ms. Lewis recommended that I join this program,” Jayden said. “I’m learning how to encourage other students at Girard to recognize the impact science has on the world.”
Chief Science Officers develop and implement a personal action plan to bring STEM opportunities to their school.
At Girard, Jayden, Hamza and Gabe decided to use a Glowforge 3D laser printer to teach their classmates about laser technology.
“Science can be a little boring at times, but with the laser you can actually engrave something for yourself,” said Jayden who considering majoring in psychology or biology in college. “I feel like that’s more engaging and will push the students to learn more about science.”
The trio will present their project to other CSO participants this spring.
Through the program Jayden learned how to teach people about STEM, and he also has gained insight into his personal strengths which helped determine what role he would play in implementing the Glowforge project.
Although the CSO program is new at Girard, Jayden said he would recommend it to younger students who are interested in STEM.
“This year has truly been a powerful reflection of what’s possible when students are given meaningful, hands-on opportunities to explore STEM,” said STEM Director Marquita Lewis. “From engaging in real-world research experiences and college visits through the Ignite STEM program, to stepping into leadership roles as Chief Science Officers, our scholars are not just learning about STEM, they are living it.”
Lewis emphasized that scholars are building skills, discovering passions, and learning about future careers.
“We are not only exposing students to STEM, but we are also empowering them to lead, innovate, and inspire others,” she said.
