Girls in Engineering, Math and Science (GEMS)
GEMS is an after-school Science, Math and Technology enrichment project for young women (grades 4-12) in Minneapolis. Augsburg  College has worked closely with Minneapolis Public School Science/Math teachers to develop, implement and evaluate this program. The goal of this program is to give young urban women a greater understanding of complex problem solving while learning and using technology, science and mathematics. Middle school girls work on SMT projects which culminate in presentations at area venues (Science Museum of MN, MN State Fair, Medtronic Corp., Girls Conference) or state-wide competitions (FIRST Lego Logo Competition).  A high school mentor  development program enables 8th grade graduates to receive leadership training, work as a mentor for a GEMS middle school group and receive ongoing mentoring and assistance with internships as juniors and seniors. Augsburg  Education and Science/Math undergraduates work with GEMS groups to support both mentors and middle school GEMS in their SMT projects and learning and help to host the summer GEMS program on the Augsburg Campus.  This is the 4th summer Augsburg will be hosting the GEMS program.  Since it's inception the GEMS program has served over 1200 middle and high school girls on an ongoing basis.  Currently in 13 MPS schools, the program this year has included 5 Augsburg undergraduate mentors, 10 high school mentors, 25 MPS teachers and 325 middle school girls.