Girls Inc. of the Berkshires Eureka! Program
RECRUITMENT FOR SUMMER 2021 OPEN
Girls Inc. Eureka! is a STEM-based approach engaging and empowering girls beginning the summer before they enter 8th grade. The program helps girls to see themselves as an important part of the workforce of the future. During the five-year Eureka! program, girls get to participate in a variety of exciting and compelling activities exploring STEM through hands-on experiences on a college campus. Eureka! fosters educational, professional and personal development by incorporating complementary activities in sports and physical fitness, healthy living and economic literacy.
Without intervention, girls’ interest and confidence in STEM subjects can begin to wane as early as elementary school. The issue isn’t about curiosity in the subject matter, but also confidence in the skills needed to do the work; building self-assurance in their abilities early in their education is key. Eureka! aims to create a positive environment where girls can take charge of who they are now and who they can become in the future!
Girls Inc. Eureka! in the Berkshires
In the summer of 2019, a second cohort of girls entering 8th grade will begin their journey in the Eureka! program joining the 14 girls from the inaugural cohort that launched in July 2018. Girls will study STEM-related subjects in a hands-on, girls only educational environment for four weeks this summer at Berkshire Community College with professors from BCC and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
In collaboration with Berkshire Community College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, professors will work with the girls as they dive deep into STEM subjects. Days also include programming to focus on personal growth and health, wellness and sports to promote healthy life habits. The girls will also get their first taste of potential careers as they visit local businesses for tours.
Eureka! Overview
The First Two Summers …
(8th and 9th grade)
Girls will participate in an intensive four-week summer program at BCC. The program will emphasize math, science and technology experiences, personal/career development and sports. Girls will have a unique opportunity on a college campus to have a hands-on, STEM-centered, girls-only environment where they can feel comfortable exploring and learning about various fields of study. Girls Inc. program staff will create a diverse and interesting experience working with professors and instructors from local colleges along with complementary programs emphasizing personal growth, economic literacy, health, wellness and sports to promote a healthy lifestyle.
During the School Year …
Throughout the school year the girls will meet to expand on traditional classroom subjects, take field trips and continue to develop relationships with one another, Girls Inc. staff, college staff and women and men who currently work in STEM careers.
Year Three and Beyond …
Girls will be placed in STEM-related internships and job shadowing experiences during the summer to gain real-world experience and fuel their career aspirations. Stipends for the internships are an important component to the program insure girls don’t have to make the choice between a summer job and an internship that helps build skills and knowledge for a future career.
The most important feature of the Girls Inc. Eureka! program is that no girl is charged to participate in the program so the cost burden to a girl and her family is removed; this makes participation for any girl interested in Eureka!, no matter her circumstances, is a reality!!
To learn more about Eureka! at Girls Inc. of the Berkshires contact Sidney Hamilton, Eureka! Coordinator at SidneyH@BrighamCenter.org.
Check out our 2019 Eureka Brochure
Interested? Here’s the Eureka! 2019 Application
Girls Inc. of the Berkshires has been fortunate to have support to from Avangrid Foundation, partnering with Berkshire Gas Company, the Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation, the Feigenbaum Foundation, the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires, the Zonta Club of the Berkshires and many other donors, along with our collaborators Berkshire Community College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, allowing us to continue to grow the Eureka! program
Would you like to learn how you can support Girls Inc. Eureka! in the Berkshires? Please contact Pam Knisley, Development & Communications Manager at 413.442.5174 x. 12 or via email at PamK@BrighamCenter.org.
Your support of Girls Inc. of the Berkshires is always appreciated! If you would like to donate to support the Eureka! Program, just click the “Donate” button! Thank You!!