WWU Youth Programs to Host Girl-Powered ‘GEMS Night Out’ on Nov. 20

Starting this November, Western Washington University Youth Programs will host Girls in Engineering, Math and Science (GEMS) Night Out, an event aimed at inspiring girls to explore the fields of engineering, math and science. 

The event will take place from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20 and Friday, Feb. 26 at Western’s Science Resource Center on campus. Students in grades 3-8 can participate in hands-on STEM activities and enjoy swimming at Western’s Wade King Rec Center.

Each session has a different theme: “Machine Queens” on Nov. 20 and “Ms. Mars” on Feb. 26. Participants will be divided into two learning groups: grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. The cost is $25 per session.

Western hosted its inaugural GEMS Fair last spring, bringing families, campus groups and community members together to showcase STEM accomplishments. The free event, which will take place May 14 this year, provides girls of all ages an opportunity to learn about potential career paths from women in engineering, math and science fields.

The representation of women in STEM careers has increased over the last 40 years, yet men still overwhelmingly outnumber women in scientific and engineering fields. Expanding the STEM workforce is crucial to increasing economic creativity and competiveness, according to the U.S. Department of Education. 

To register for GEMS Night Out, please visit wwu.edu/youth.

Western Washington University has offered youth enrichment programs for more than 30 years. Interested students are offered the option of registering for full-day camps, half-day courses or one-time sessions all taught by highly-qualified educators. Western’s youth programs promote higher education to students gaining personal experience on campus.

For more information, contact Debbie Gibbons, Western Washington University Extended Education Youth Programs manager, at (360) 650-6820 or debbie.gibbons@wwu.edu.