From staff reports
GEMS (Girls Excelling in Math and Science), under the sponsorship of Bridge Builders Community Foundations, has received a $50,000 grant from the Pittsburgh-based McElhattan Foundation to implement an impact study of the 25-year-old program designed to encourage girls to explore STEM education and career paths.
The study will be conducted in partnership with Wellesley College’s National Institute on Out-of-School Time and will involve GEMS leaders and girls who have participated in Franklin area programs.
“We are thrilled to be able to conduct research on the impact of GEMS programs,” said Laura Reasoner Jones, GEMS founder. “When I brought GEMS to Venango County in 2013, I was overjoyed at the response and the funding available through BBCF. We estimate that over 1,600 girls have been served through GEMS programs at the elementary and middle schools and through programs at the libraries,” she said.
All elementary schools in the county and the Oil City Middle School have active GEMS programs. In addition, both Franklin and Oil City Libraries host afternoon and summer programs with the help of GEMS staff.
