Outreach

AWIS-PHL recommends and/or is involved in a number local outreach efforts to expose young women to the exciting opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers. (Some programs were put on hold due to COVID-19, and some websites have not been updated recently.)

Philadelphia Area Girls Enjoying Science™ (PAGES™) is an award-winning program that gives sixth-grade girls a hands-on experience with science. PAGES offers mini-conferences once each fall and spring at Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA. Each mini-conference begins with a breakfast snack and a keynote address given by a local woman with an interesting career in science. The participants are then divided into small groups to move into the labs to perform three different experiments. Each experiment is led by a female scientist or team of scientists. The day ends with lunch, give-aways, door prizes, and decorating a banner.

Start Talking Science is a free public event where STEM researchers present posters detailing their research in a non-technical manner to a general audience so as to foster insightful conversations and connections, and increase public interest in the cutting-edge research taking place in Philadelphia. In addition, Start Talking Science aims to strengthen the science communication skills of STEM researchers and provides an atmosphere for individuals from various backgrounds to network, share ideas, and collaborate.

taste of science is an annual festival in cities across the United States whose purpose is to convey science to a wider audience by holding events, recording podcasts, making videos or any other means we can find to engage with the public. It is run 100% by volunteers. Information for Philadelphia events can be found here.

Soapbox Science is a novel public outreach platform for promoting women scientists and the science they do. Thier events transform public areas into an arena for public learning and scientific debate; they follow the format of London Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner, which is historically an arena for public debate.

Girl’s Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology (GETT) is an annual event in the spring for girls in grades 5-10 and their parents to learn about career opportunities in a broad scope of STEAM related industries. The day is filled with exciting, enlightening and experiential activities led by successful women in STEAM fields. GETT is an initiative of the Innovative Technology Action Group (ITAG), a program under the Chester County Economic Development Council, and is driven by the volunteer efforts of numerous public, private and educational organizations, along with public and private investments.

The Philadelphia Science Festival takes place annually each spring and features lectures, debates, hands-on activities, special exhibitions and a variety of other informal science education experiences for Philadelphians of all ages.

Physics Wonder Girls Camp is a FREE four-day experience for incoming 8th and 9th grade girls held in the summer on the campus of the University of the Sciences.

AWIS-PHL is actively engaged with the Delaware Valley Science Council (DVSC) whose mission is to to encourage students to study and pursue careers in science and math, thus helping to ensure a scientifically literate and talented workforce for tomorrow’s needs in Delaware Valley business, education and government. Members of AWIS-PHL serve on the DVSC board, and AWIS-PHL sponsors the Edyth Malin Association for Women in Science Award as part of DVSC’s Annual Science Awards Program.

Girl Up is a movement to advance girls’ skills, rights, and opportunities to be leaders. “When girls rise, we all rise.” AWIS-PHL has begun a connection with Girl Up in Philadelphia, and we look forward to expanding this relationship.

The National Girls Collaborative Project™ (NGCP) is designed to reach girl-serving STEM organizations across the United States. Under this umbrella, The PA STEM Girls Collaborative Project brings together organizations throughout Pennsylvania that are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The Science Education Academy is a STEM non-profit, founded in 2008, whose aim is to support elementary grade students in their science education with hands-on exposure and experience with scientific method and inquiry.