Centre joins Kentucky Girls Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Collaborative

RELEASED: June 12, 2008

DANVILLE, KY—Centre College has recently partnered with the newly created Kentucky Girls STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Collaborative Project (KGCP). The Kentucky Girls Collaborative is based upon a model developed by the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), which brings organizations together to compare needs and resources, share information, and expand STEM-related opportunities for girls to encourage them to pursue educational choices in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The ultimate goal for KGCP is to build a strong, diverse workforce in Kentucky.

A kick-off conference was held in Lexington in May, where nearly 100 representatives from colleges, universities and local and state businesses and organizations gathered to discuss the future of the KGCP's impact in the state.

"There was incredible excitement at the meeting," says Rose-Marie Roessler, Centre coordinator and instructor for biology laboratories, KGCP's representative for the College and member of the leadership team. "So many people are becoming interested in connecting girl-serving organizations with industries and businesses to do so many important things."

KGCP encourages collaborations among organizations and provides grants for collaborative programs and projects. For example, a business that belongs to the engineering industry could obtain a grant to host and teach school children about careers in the engineering field. The program addresses the need to increase the number of Kentucky youth, especially girls, interested in pursuing a career in science or engineering. According to the National Science Foundation, Kentucky ranks 49th in the nation in the number of Bachelor of Science degrees conferred in science and engineering to girls (2003).

Roessler says that Centre is excited to become involved in collaborative projects with local schools, programs and community organizations, which could include workshops, tutoring and summer science camps.

For more information on KGCP, click here.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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