G^3 Nano - GO-GIRLs Go Nano

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

We here at GO-GIRL are excited to have just held a really cool event under our latest initiative, Operation Keeping in Touch (KiT). The purpose of this new addition to the GO-GIRL program was to provide more opportunities for GO-GIRLs and their parents to investigate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) topics and careers.

This event was hosted by the Wayne State University Chemistry department. During this all day workshop, GO-GIRLs explored how very, very, small devices can be used to solve BIG medical, computational, and energy problems. Girls made their own nanomaterials and discovered ways these materials can be used to help make the world a better place. The day included a pizza & salad lunch, a chance to reconnect with friends, and opportunities to work (almost entirely 1-on-1) with current WSU students and faculty in their chemistry laboratories. The day rounded up with a final game of Nano BINGO, testing the girls' knowledge gained throughout the course of the day, complete with prizes!

In the morning, parents joined us for some community learning as well. In the WSU Undergraduate Library (UGL) some of our wonderful library science folks showed us the ins and outs of MEL.org and how to navigate this wonderful online resource. This is a great tool for parents and students alike! Then, our fabulous representative from the WSU Office of Admissions, Sylvia, held a Parent Café revolved around our GO-GIRLs of all ages and their pursuit for college. Some key themes were scholarships, social networking as a way of sharing information about the college application process, and timelines for applying to college.

Overall, our GO-GIRL staff and volunteers were so pleased with the turn out and the enthusiasm and engagement of our GO-GIRLs and their parents. We hope y'all feel the same!

Pharmacy this week!

GO-GIRLs and Parents,

* REMINDER *

This Saturday, March 26th, GO-GIRL will meet at the Wayne State University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Please drop off your daughter at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences between 9:00-9:20 am. Pick-up will be in front of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at 3:00 pm.
The field trip is always a highlight of the GO-GIRL session. To find out more about the College visit their website at: http://cphs.wayne.edu/

Directions:
Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is located at 259 Mack Avenue, Detroit, the southwest corner of the Detroit Medical Center Campus.
The College is on the corner of Mack Avenue and John R St.

From I-75 North
Exit at Mack Avenue and take right on Mack Avenue.
Turn at the third traffic light (John R. Street).

From I-75 South
Exit at Mack Avenue and take left on Mack Avenue.
Turn at the third traffic light (John R. Street)

From I-94
Exit at 75 South (towards Toledo, OH).
Exit at Mack Avenue and take right on Mack Avenue.
Turn at the third traffic light (John R. Street).

From Main Campus
Go South on Anthony Wayne Drive, Cass Avenue, or Woodward and turn left on to Warren Avenue
Turn right on to John R. Street.

GO-GIRL will resume as normal at the College of Education on April 2.

Please email us at gogirl@wayne.edu or call us at (313)577-0917 or (313)530-3308 (the Saturday GO-GIRL Hotline) with any questions and/or concerns!

GO-GIRL 2011 Day 5

Saturday, March 5th

Another Saturday of plugging away at our research projects! We accomplished so much today in our teams as we formulated questions to ask in our surveys which will be ready next week!

Meanwhile, our parents attended a Parent Café where they discussed other opportunities for us. They discussed other extracurricular academic programs as well as what college admissions offices are looking for. They always have our best interests in mind!

The parents also made a chain of strengths similar to the one we made. Their strong characteristics and qualities they listed included, but are not limited to: caring & compassionate, passionate about kids success, supportive, involved, leadership, focused, determined, super mom, computer skills, hard-working, driven, encouraging, problem-solving, willing to learn, flexible, structured, patient, make time, understanding, loving, easy to talk to, trustworthy, creative & crafty, motivational/motivated, fair, advocator, wanting to help, excited, resourceful, helpful, and so much more!

We're so thankful for all of the amazing and inspirational GO-GIRLs and their families this semester! :)

Reminder: GO-GIRL resumes tomorrow!

Friday, March 4th, 2011

This is just a reminder that we WILL be resuming as normal tomorrow, Saturday, March 5th. We're looking forward to seeing you back this week!

In addition, we will be holding another Parent Café from 9:30-11:00 am in the College of Education, Room #253. The topic of this Parent Café is "Programs and Resources." We will discuss how you and your daughter can more efficiently use library resources at home and online. We will be joined by a librarian from the WSU Undergraduate Library who will help us navigate through a wonderful online library resource available to all residents in Michigan. We will also talk about some summer programs and other opportunities for your daughter. We do hope you'll all be able to join us!

See you tomorrow!

Parent Cafes-Starting next Saturday!

Three Parent Cafés will be offered during the Winter 2011 session. Parent Cafés will provide opportunities for parents to network, share information and resources, and ask questions about how they can support their daughters. GO-GIRL staff members, university experts, and community resource persons will join the informal discussions during the Cafés.

Parent Cafés are scheduled from 9:30-11:00 in the College of Education

February 12
The GO-GIRL Experience
This meeting will provide a hands-on GO-GIRL experience for parents so they will have a better understanding of the program goals and activities.

February 12
Friends of GO-GIRL Planning meeting
Our first friends of GO-GIRL Meeting will follow the Parent Café beginning at 12:00. We hope you will join us for a light lunch and conversation about how we can keep GO-GIRL Going and Growing.

March 5
Programs and Resources
How can your daughter (and you) more effectively use library resources at home or online? Looking for summer programs or other opportunities for your daughter? Don’t miss this café.

April 16
Supporting Your Daughter Now and in the Future
Don’t wait. What can you do to start preparing your daughter for college NOW? A college admissions counselor will join us and share important information and practical suggestions.

GO-GIRL 2011 Day 1

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Day 1 down, 9 to go! And we're off to a running start! The mentors were energetically awaiting the GGs' arrival at the bus stop drop-off point with pom-poms and signs to greet the girls and their parents. GO-GIRLs started out the day with our version of BINGO, Personality BINGO. Along with the granola bars and juice, this really got us all going! Then GGs broke into pairs or threes within their teams and completed an "All About Us" venn diagram, comparing and contrasting themselves with their partner. After the mentors modeled their introductions, the GGs had an opportunity to introduce their partner to the rest of the group. It was a jam-packed morning, everyone was quite hungry by the time lunch rolled around! Lunch was served in the WSU Student Center, it was sandwiches, potato salad, a cookie, and soda. Our first session also included a GO-GIRL-themed Power Point Presentation as well as a fun round of GO-GIRL Jeopardy, where GO-GIRLs had a chance to learn all about the GO-GIRL program. We found out these GGs are very competitive! Everyone also had a chance to take a survey, similar to one they will create and extend to others as a part of their final project. Overall, today was a great glimpse for the GGs into the GO-GIRL future and a nice chance for the GGs to get to know one another! :)

GO-GIRL Winter 2011 Kick-Off!!!

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011

Today was our annual GO-GIRL Orientation and Opening Ceremony, held from 1-3 pm in the College of Education. Off to a great start! Our 2011 GO-GIRLs and parents had a chance to meet the other GO-GIRLs and their families, as well as the program staff and mentors. They also had the opportunity to tour the GO-GIRL classrooms in the College of Education, and learn more about the program. It was such a pleasure to see so many bright and eager faces and we are very much looking forward to a wonderfully successful semester!

The dates for the Winter 2011 program are:
January 22 (Orientation), 29
February 5, 12
March 5, 12, 26
April 2, 9, 16 (Graduation)
A full calendar for the semester can also be found at:
http://www.gogirls.wayne.edu/apply.php

Upcoming GO-GIRL Winter 2011 Orientation and Opening Ceremony!

For all of our future GO-GIRLs and Families:

We would like to remind everyone that on Saturday, January 22, 2011, the GO-GIRL Orientation and Opening Ceremony will be held from 1:30pm-3:00pm in the Wayne State University College of Education, Rooms 10 & 30 in the basement. You will find an interactive map of the campus at: http://campusmap.wayne.edu/.

At this time you will have a chance to meet the other GO-GIRLs and their families, as well as the program staff and mentors. You also will have the opportunity to tour the GO-GIRL classrooms in the College of Education, and learn more about the program.

You will be filling out paperwork and permission slips, so if you have an insurance card please bring it with you at this time.

Attendance every Saturday is very important for your daughter’s success in the program! If your daughter is no longer interested in the program, or is unable to participate this semester, please contact us.

The dates for the Winter 2011 program are:
January 22 (Orientation), 29
February 5, 12
March 5, 12, 26
April 2, 9, 16 (Graduation)

A full calendar for the semester can also be found at:
http://www.gogirls.wayne.edu/apply.php

Please feel free to call us or email us with any questions or concerns. We're looking forward to meeting you and having a fabulous Winter 2011 Semester of GO-GIRL!

Reunion 2010

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Today we had the 2nd of our GO-GIRL reunions from 1-3pm. The event was open to all former G0-GIRLs and we had GGs all the way back from 2004! Mentors from 2003 and 2010 showed up as well! GG parents and GGs visited the WSU Info fair and enjoyed an ice cream buffett and social. It was a fun and successful afternoon of information, prizes, and reconnecting with one another! We're looking forward to next year's reunion! :)

Saturday, April 10th Parent Cafe

Saturday's Parent Cafe covered some information regarding future career paths for girls and breaking down the gender barriers for science and math fields. As a group there was discussion about experiences and recommendations in motivating girls to stay on track for successful science and math studies/careers down the line.

There was also talk of the GGs futures beyond high school. Staying on track with science and math is important but some other things that colleges look for in an applicant were covered.

In addition, librarians came to show parents the online resource of www.mel.org. This resource is very helpful in so many ways. We encourage you to check it out and show your daughter. There are great links for age appropriate research from legitimate sources. The site also has great tools for parents that include but are not limited to health and other educational resources, etc.

We're looking forward to seeing our GG parents again at our third and final Parent Cafe, it falls the same day as the GGs graduation on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 from 9:30-11am in the College of Education, Room 10.

GG Day 2

Saturday, February 13, 2010

What a fun-filled day at GO-GIRL! Today the girls and their teams discussed surveys and the who, what, why, where and how of them. Each team brainstormed a topic of interest for them. Although each team's survey and topic is in different stages of development, what they have come up with this week will get them thinking and going on further creating a topic for their eventual survey.

Because of all of the teamwork and brainstorming, today the girls seemed to come together and they got to know one another a little better. Each team began to create a team poster highlighting themselves with their team name, the team members, and adjectives to describe themselves. Wait until you see how creative they are! The sense of community is strong and always growing!

With this weekend off due to the school breaks, we hope everyone is resting well and preparing for a BUSY week next week. We're going to the Undergraduate Library (UGL) on Wayne State's campus and it is going to be so exciting to learn more about research from our favorite librarians! Hopefully everyone remembers to wear their GO-GIRL t-shirt so we can stick together and show our pride!

And, parents, don't forget about the GG Parent Cafe being held for you from 9:30-11:00am in Room 10 of the College of Education building. Our staff, university experts, and community resources persons will join us to provide opportunities for networking, share information and resources, and help you help your daughters.

We'll look forward to seeing everyone next Saturday, February 27th!

Kicking off GO-GIRL 2010!

GG Orientation, Saturday, January 30, 2010

GO-GIRL got off to a great start last Saturday as the new batch of 57 GO-GIRLs and their parents, friends, and relatives met their new GO-GIRL mentors and team members. This semester's 57 GO-GIRLS proudly represent 16 different communities and attend 38 different middle schools.

Held in the cafe of the WSU Towers Residence Hall, the orientation included a meet & greet among GO-GIRLs and their new team members and mentors. Dr. Sally Roberts gave an uplifting opening speech during which parents and GGs snacked on cookies and sodas.

Whitney, a former GO-GIRL participant from the Class of 2003, has returned to support the new class of GO-GIRLs. She is now a sophomore at Wayne State University and is majoring in languages including Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. We are so excited that she will join us this semester and know that she will be a source of inspiration to new GO-GIRLs.

GO-GIRL seems to have recurring faces, like Whitney, and sisters of former GO-GIRLs. This semester there are at least 3 girls whose older sisters have graduated from GG in the past. Our family of GO-GIRLs continues to grow!

G^3 Nano

On Saturday November 7th, former GO-GIRLs are invited to attend GO-GIRLs Go Nano hosted by the WSU department of Chemistry. This event is part of a new GG initiative, Operation: Keeping in Touch (KiT). During this all day workshop, GO-GIRLs will explore how very, very, small devices can be used to solve BIG medical, computational, and energy problems. Parents will meet with the a WSU admissions counselor and experience a virtual nano experience in the computer labs at the UGL. Stay tuned for more.

GO-GIRL Reunion

On Saturday September 19th we hosted the first GO-GIRL reunion sponsored by the RGK foundation. The 48 attendees represented girls from all of the past ten graduating classes. Former participants are in grades 8 through college. The event included opportunities to reconnect with friends and mentors, a university information fair, and an ice cream social. Senator Martha Scott, who has been a steadfast supporter of the program, joined the festivities along with Dr. Pamela Trotman Reid the co-founder of the program and current President of Saint Joseph’s College in Connecticut. Plans are already underway to make the reunion an annual event.