Teen Programs
Science Club for Girls provides leadership and science exposure for girls in the 7-12th grades through our Career Exploration, Leadership, & Life Skills (C.E.L.L.S.) program.
C.E.L.L.S. supports over 60 girls in 7-12th grades in eastern Massachusetts create the building blocks necessary for a bright future. C.E.L.L.S. is the youth development umbrella that houses a palette of semi-sequenced science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and leadership programs. Girls try on different STEM-related identities and are given the space to explore their own development through multiple pathways. Girls discover their passions through field trips and career speakers, who not only introduce them to traditional careers in science and engineering, but also to opportunities where science literacy is required but applied in novel settings This fellowship between adolescent girls and supportive adults often yields a dynamic sisterhood where deep bonds have been forged.
Through our various options within CELLS, girls develop:
- positive identity
- positive relationships
- a sense of achievement and efficacy
Girls in C.E.L.L.S. also get the chance to earn a stipend and/or volunteer hours for school credit. We see these girls choosing college and careers that are compatible with their goals and passions; becoming inspiration and role models for our young participants, and leaders in their communities. We see our girls being comfortable in different settings, having an ease in making friends and the skill to identify and acquire mentors. We see the sisterhood of Science Club for Girls growing, changing the world for good, individually and collectively.
2012 C.E.L.L.S. Programs
Junior Mentor Program: The biggest program of C.E.L.L.S. is our 7-12th grade JUNIOR MENTOR (JM) PROGRAM. It is a leadership program where upper middle and high school girls serve as co-teachers and near-peer mentors in the Science Clubs. It is also a job preparation program as adolescent girls practice teamwork, communication and other 21st century skills. Junior Mentors receive a stipend, and for many, this is an important and meaningful first job. The Peer Mentor track encourages and recognizes leadership and skill competency. JMs who are in their junior or senior year of high school, have been with SCFG or other STEM program for more than one year and who have exhibited strengths in teaching are invited to lead their own Science Clubs as Peer Mentors. Check out more information about our Junior Mentors and Peer Mentors here.
Rocket Team: Girls in Rocket Team learn about rocketry and then build their own rockets with a team of other teen girls, guided by a group of mentors. The team participates in the national TARC competition each year. Girls in grades 9-12 are welcome to apply in September of each year. Check out more information about our Rocket Team here.
Media Team: Girls interested in writing or creating their own videos can serve as a staff member on the MadSciMag editorial team. Staff members will get a chance to write, research, and produce an issue of our online magazine, MadSciMag. Girls in grades 9-12 are welcome to apply. Check out more information about our Media Team here.
Supper Sisters: This is a new program for girls interested in exploring the science of health, hunger, and where food comes from! Girls will work with Mentors to design a project that can be shared with the larger community of Cambridge as well as cook a healthy meal each week. Girls in grades 9-12 are welcome to apply.
Zebrafish: Participants in the Girls with a 'Z' program will do hands-on experiments with zebrafish and learn about their biological development, genetics, and behaviour. Zebrafish are commonly used in laboratory research in fields ranging from environmental science to medicine. In addition, those who complete the program will share their knowledge with younger students by teaching our vacation week program in February. Girls in grades 9-12 are welcome to apply in December of each year.
Youth Council: This is a new program for our girls to work with our alumnae, by providing input into C.E.L.L.S. programming, such as retreats and community service projects. All these experiences help girls gain additional leadership experience. In the future, we hope for this to be a powerful leadership position. Youth Council members also serve as spokeswomen of SCFG at important events. Girls in grades 8-12 are welcome to apply in September and February of each year.
SCFG Teen Summer Program: Girls in our summer program gain a great deal of leadership experience through our intensive 6-week summer program. Girls serve as Peer Mentors and lead our science clubs at various summer camps and summer schools in Cambridge. Girls ages 14 and up who are residents of Cambridge are welcome to apply to the MayorŐs Summer Youth Employment Program (indicate your specific interest in Science Club for Girls) in April of each year.
STEM Summer Opportunities: We have compiled a list of STEM summer opportunities for teen girls in the greater Boston area. While this list is not exhaustive and we have not had experiences with each summer provider, we hope that this is a great start in helping you identify some STEM summer opportunities. If you would like your summer opportunity to be listed here, please contact us. Check out more information about STEM Summer Opportunities here.
Contact our staff for more information: teenprograms [at] scienceclubforgirls [dot] org
Science Club for Girls provides leadership and science exposure for girls in the 7-12th grades through our Career Exploration, Leadership, & Life Skills (C.E.L.L.S.) program.
© 2012 Science Club for Girls