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TGC Harvard Masters students and Rio Grande Valley mathematics teachers, Diana Garcia, Queen Martin, and Crystal Chagoya  worked on curriculum for the new summer program geared towards improving girls’ math performance. GEM, Girls Engaged in Mathematics. The program was created by TGC’s Executive Director, Dr. Mary Alice Reyes. An initiative of the Texas Valley Communities Foundation.

The notion that only boys can become scientists and engineers has persisted over time. Now, studies have shown that negative stereotypes about girls’ abilities in mathematics and science have impacted their performance in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and math) areas.

 

According to the American Association of University Women, learning environment, instructional experiences and positive support for girls in STEM areas can significantly increase their ability, skills and aspirations towards careers in math and science. With this in mind, The Texas Graduate Center (TGC), in partnership with Texas Valley Communities Foundation (TVCOF) and La Joya ISD, launched GEM (Girls Engaged in Mathematics) Camp. The focus of the GEM camp is to improve math skills in middle school girls as well as build their overall confidence in mathematics.

 

Dr. Alda Benavides, La Joya ISD Superintendent, initiated the creation of the GEM CAMP when she expressed an interest in preparing the district’s rising 6th grade girls to have greater confidence and skill in mathematics as they enter middle school. With support from the Texas Valley Communities Foundation (TVCOF), a non-profit organization with a mission to further education in South Texas, her vision was realized.

 

The week-long camp focused on math content such as Number, Operation and Quantitative Reasoning, Patterns, Relationships and Algebraic Thinking, Geometry, and Probability and Statistics. To build confidence and reduce math anxiety, the program incorporated Student Attributes for Math Success (SAMS), a curriculum that teaches goal setting, taking responsibility for learning, persevering through complex tasks and attention to detail.

 

“Some girls tend to be more timid when it comes to [math] class participation,” said Crystal Chagoya, a Texas Graduate Center student and mathematics teacher at La Joya ISD. “I think we need to focus on our future generation of girls because we need to empower them to dominate more in critical areas such as math and engineering,” Chagoya said.

 

Chagoya, along with La Joya ISD teacher Queen Martin and South Texas ISD teacher Diana Garcia helped create the GEM curriculum. All three women are TGC students currently pursuing their masters degree in Mathematics for Teaching from Harvard University.

 

TGC recruited three math teachers and four University of Texas-Pan American college mentors to lead instruction. Jocelyn Olmedo, a third-year Electrical Engineering student at UTPA knows first-hand about the importance of camps like GEM.

 

“I’d say I’m a product of camps and events like this myself, otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten so interested in being in the STEM field,” said Olmedo. “I’m really passionate about getting people from the Valley in STEM.” It’s common to find one or two girls in a STEM-related class every semester at the University, Olmedo added.

 

GEM CAMP also included a Career Connection session to address the underrepresentation of girls in STEM career fields as well as expose the girls to how mathematics applies in different careers in STEM.

 

These hands-on sessions cover topics such as Medicine, Robotics, Engineering, Crime Scene Investigation, App Development and Architecture. Heriberto Reynoso, a former NASA engineer and roboticist, encouraged the girls to explore the wonders of robotics and science. “I love empowering females to pursue robotics because the field needs diversity,” said Reynoso. During his career connection, girls worked in groups to construct a hexapod, a six-legged robot, with automated parts.

 

The 5-day camp culminated with a “Pi Party” to celebrate the girls’ progress and accomplishments. The “Pi Party”, a reference to the mathematical term “pi”, included refreshments along with colorful boas for each guest. Accomplished female guest speakers were invited to address the audience and encourage the girls to work hard and pursue careers in the area of STEM. The list of speakers included Dr. Anissa Trevino, Executive Director for Secondary Education at La Joya ISD, Michelle Castillo, Harvard University graduate and Regional Political Director for Wendy Davis, Sarah Sagredo-Hammond, President of Atlas Electric and Air Conditioning, and Dr. Karen Lozano, Professor and Director of Nanotechnology Center at the Mechanical Engineering Department at UTPA.

 

“The GEM camp was a wonderful program and I’m glad I had an opportunity to be a part of it,” said Denise Rivas, a teacher at Mercedes ISD who led the SAMS class. “Every week we saw quiet, shy girls who clearly lacked some confidence in themselves and by the end of the week, those same girls appeared more outgoing and confident. Each girl left with a positive outlook and increased knowledge of not only math skills but life skills that hopefully will lead them to success, Rivas added.