Community Corner
Worcester College Hosts Girls Inc. STEM Program For Local Teens
Participants in the Girls Inc. of Worcester Eureka! Program completed a four-day intensive program at a local college.
WORCESTER, MA — Nearly 100 Worcester teens got a look at college life this week through a new STEM partnership at Clark University.
Participants in the Girls Inc. of Worcester Eureka! Program completed a four-day intensive program at Clark that included hands-on STEM workshops, faculty-led instruction, leadership sessions and an exhibition highlighting what students learned and created.
The visit marked the start of a new learning partnership between Girls Inc. of Worcester and Clark. The university helped develop and carry out the program by coordinating faculty, designing workshops, opening classrooms and laboratories, providing campus resources and offering lunch.
“Clark University has been thrilled to host Girls Inc on campus this summer,” said Evan Wilson, associate dean of the college and coordinating member of the Collaborative for Community Engagement.
Wilson said more than 10 Clark faculty members and 35 students and staff volunteered to work with the program.
Girls Inc. of Worcester, which has served local girls for 110 years, runs Eureka! as its signature five-year STEM program for girls in grades 8 through 12. The program combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics with leadership development, academic support, career exploration and confidence-building.
Throughout the week, Clark professors introduced participants to STEM fields, research questions and possible career paths. Students asked questions, worked through problems, tested ideas and discussed how science can be used to address real-world challenges.
Afternoon sessions focused on leadership, economic independence, professional development and preparation for high school, college and future careers.
“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Clark University,” said Tiffany Lillie, CEO and executive director of Girls Inc. of Worcester. “This experience is building the skills, confidence, and self-awareness they need to succeed in higher education and beyond.”
Lillie said the experience helped participants picture themselves as future college students, scientists, researchers and leaders by giving them time in university classrooms, academic buildings and direct conversation with professors.
The program ended July 16 with an exhibition where Eureka! participants shared reflective presentations about what they learned, explored and created during their time at Clark.
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