Eureka!-STEM: Hands-On, Minds-On STEM for At-Risk Middle School Girls

The UNO Eureka!-STEM program, which began in 2012, brings female students from lower-socioeconomic environments to the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) for an intensive four-week summer program focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) the summer before the girls enter grades 8 and 9. The program is a collaborative effort between Girls Inc. and STEM disciplines across UNO, with continuing participants spending the first two summers on UNO’s campus, followed by three summers of internship opportunities with local STEM organizations. At UNO the girls gain experience in STEM topics such as rocketry, biomechanics, and “mathemagic.” They also have daily lessons on social/emotional development and physical fitness. This chapter describes the program, including academic topics and related field trips, funding information, and collaboration among the faculty, Girls Inc. staff, students, and community partners. Evaluation of the program shows significantly strong increases in perceived content knowledge and increases in expressed interest in technology and engineering careers.