Classes are in-person, geared to girls 10-18 years of age and
include science exploration, field trips, and mentorships
Courtesy of Girls 4 Science
Now in its 14th year of existence, Girls 4 Science is gearing up for another one of its signature Saturday STEM Academies. The upcoming session takes place July 1st through August 5th and will be held at Olive Harvey Community College, Malcolm X Community College, in Chicago, and the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, IL. The summer session is for girls age 10 – 18 and runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with classes being focused on the “Science of Construction.”
Jackie Lomax founded Girls 4 Science in 2008 when her young daughter expressed an interest in science and was unable to find a community-based science program to help her achieve her dreams. Since then, hundreds of girls have gone through the program exploring a plethora of careers in STEM.
As of 2022, women made up 10.9% of the overall construction workforce in the US. In 2023, 1,284,000 women were employed nationwide in construction. Women on the frontlines of a job site account for only 4% of employees in the field. The gender pay gap is significantly smaller in construction occupations, with women earning on average 95.5% of what men make.
“Construction is a vital industry, creating buildings and spaces that connect communities, provide jobs, and improve society,” said Lomax. “We want our girls to grow up knowing how to build while destroying the stigma that when one thinks of construction, only Legos and boys come to mind.”
The Summer 2023 Session officially begins Saturday, July 1st at 10:00 a.m. The program is being sponsored by the KSI Foundation and Boeing. Once the session begins, students can expect six weeks of informative presentations, guest speakers and fun, interactive demonstrations including the following:
Week 1 – (July 1) Parent Orientation Introduction to Construction, Architecture and
Engineering, Construction Jeopardy!
Week 2 – (July 8) All About Concrete: Properties, Materials, Forming, Placing
Week 3 – (July15) Developer, Architect, Engineer, Builder Definitions, Spaghetti and
Marshmallows Activity
Week 4 – (July 22) Chicago Architecture Boat Tour Field Trip
Week 5 – (July 29) Field Trip to W.E. O’Neil Construction Co. Office and Plumber’s Union
Parking Garage jobsite
Week 6 – (August 5) Student Recognition and Awards Ceremony
The program coordinators are:
Olive Harvey - Natasha Carter, Zandra Chisolm-El, Diamond Franklin
Malcolm X- Sheila Jordan, Lauren Jordan, Danielle McDaniels
University of St. Francis- Monique Puckett, Sandrine Davis, Jen Roberts
“Girls 4 Science is committed to making STEM exposure and learning accessible and fun to that girls are excited about STEM,” added Lomax. “This summer, we will educate girls on different styles and methods of construction. I can’t wait to see them gain all of this knowledge. It truly warms my heart.”