IGC Fellows Lead GALS program to Inspire Future Scientists
July 10, 2024
This past June, high school students embarked on an unforgettable journey through the GALS (Girls on Outdoor Adventure for Leadership and Science) Program at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center and Grayson Highlands State Park. This immersive experience offered students a unique blend of outdoor adventure and hands-on STEM education, creating lasting memories and sparking a passion for scientific exploration.
In 2022, the GALS program, originally founded by Duke University graduate students in 2016, made its way to Virginia Tech (VT). This expansion was driven by a dedicated team of VT graduate students, many from the Interfaces of Global Change (IGC) Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program (IGEP). Their collaborative efforts in fundraising and planning brought the immersive, week-long program to the Appalachian Trail, providing high school students with hands-on STEM education and leadership development while backpacking through the wilderness.
This free summer learning initiative, has been led by IGC Fellows the past two years and aims to provide high school students—particularly those who identify as female or gender nonconforming, students of color, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds—with the opportunity to engage deeply with science while exploring the natural world. By focusing on these underrepresented groups, GALS works to inspire the next generation of scientists and leaders in STEM.
This year's program was led by an incredible team of educators and scientists, including Entomology lab specialist Lisa Tabor, Griffith University undergraduate Delia Schulte, and our very own IGC IGEP Fellows Megan Harris and Meredith Snyder. Their expertise and enthusiasm were instrumental in guiding the students through a week of discovery and learning.
Participants delved into diverse scientific topics such as engineering, aquatic entomology, sustainability, and soil biogeochemistry. They developed projects, collected data while backpacking, and presented posters showcasing their findings. This hands-on approach not only taught them about scientific processes but also allowed them to experience the joy and excitement of scientific discovery in a real-world setting.
The GALS program is more than just a science camp. It combines rigorous scientific lessons with outdoor skills, environmental investigation, and experimentation. Students participated in small group activities and discussions on important topics like environmentalism, social justice, and sustainability. These discussions, along with opportunities for personal reflection, journaling, and art, encouraged students to push their boundaries, gain self-awareness, and build self-confidence.
The GALS program at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center and Grayson Highlands State Park offered an incredible opportunity for high school students to connect with nature, learn about various career paths in STEM, and develop lifelong skills. As we reflect on this year's success, we look forward to seeing how these young scientists will continue to grow and contribute to the world of science and beyond.