Discovery Center launches Tennessee Girls Collaborative
The Discovery Center has announced its new role as the convening agency for the Tennessee Girls Collaborative Project. The vision of the National Girls Collaborative Project is to bring together organizations throughout the United States that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The program’s kick-off event is Friday, March 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Tech Hill Commons, 500 Interstate Blvd S, Suite 210, Nashville. Individuals representing organizations committed to supporting girls in STEM are encouraged to attend. The cost is $30 and includes lunch and refreshments.
More information is available at www.explorethedc.org/tngirlscollab or facebook.com/TNGirlsCollab.
The National Girls Collaborative Project maximizes access to shared resources and disseminates research-based promising practices that advance the work of existing and evolving girl-serving projects. National goals include:
- Strengthening the capacity of girl-serving STEM programs to effectively reach and serve underrepresented girls in STEM by sharing promising practice research and program models, outcomes, and products.
- Increasing the effectiveness of Collaboratives by providing professional development focused on sustainability, organizational effectiveness, and shared leadership to more effectively deliver services to girl-serving STEM organizations.
- Maximizing K-12 school counselors’ access to and use of relevant, high-quality resources that increase awareness of barriers to girls’ interest and engagement in STEM.
As the convening agency for the Tennessee Girls Collaborative Project, Discovery Center in Murfreesboro will bring together organizations and individuals that are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in STEM, encouraging greater collaboration and improved inter-program communication. Discovery Center’s goal will be to strengthen capacity, increase continuation of girl-serving STEM programs, and create a wider audience for gender-related STEM issues.
This project – made available by the National Girls Collaborative Project and administered by the Tennessee Girls Collaborative Project—offers the chance for schools, informal educators, expanded learning programs, and businesses to come together to share best practices, develop new collaborations, and share resources. The Tennessee Girls Collaborative Project is an inclusive assembly for all stakeholders committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue classes and careers in STEM. The successful career transition of students and the economic future of Tennessee are tied to increased participation by all students in careers that rely on STEM skills and competencies.
The Tennessee Girls Collaborative Project will be reaching out to girl-serving organizations in the coming months. We also welcome any indications of interest from similarly focused organizations. Please look forward as well to newsletters, program resources, and professional forums in 2019.
For additional information, please contact the Collaborative Lead, Dale McCreedy, Vice President of Audience & Community Engagement (dmccreedy@explorethedc.org) or Jennifer Neal, Director of Grants & Membership Development (jneal@explorethedc.org).
About the Discovery Center
The Discovery Center at Murfree Spring is a hands-on, environmental, cultural and educational museum located in the heart of Middle Tennessee. More than 120,000 children and families visit annually, exploring exhibits and participating in programs that promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math) education. Adjacent to the Center is the protected Murfree Spring wetlands, a natural habitat for a variety of fish, amphibians and birds. Located at 502 S.E. Broad Street in Murfreesboro, TN, the Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.explorethedc.org or call (615) 890-2300.
