This summer, the Flora Stone Mather Center partnered with Queen IAM, a local nonprofit organization, to offer a STEM Summer Camp for young girls. Each week from June-July, Dr. Danielle (Dani) Jones, the Women in STEM Program Manager, and CWRU student volunteers led engaging science activities for a cohort of 20 campers. Through hands on activities ranging from bridge building to terrarium construction, the campers explored biology, physics, and engineering. The group also visited campus to tour ThinkBox, where they learned about 3D printing and made personalized tote bags. The STEM sessions were offered as part of Queen IAM’s annual summer camp, which is an 8-week educational-wellness program that offers physical education, hip-hop dance, financial literacy, and community service in addition to STEM activities.
Queen IAM was founded by Dameyonna Willis in 2016 and she continues to serve as the organization’s director. The goals of Queen IAM are to empower, enrich, and educate girls by providing them a safe space to be themselves and build strong peer relationships. The collaboration between the Flora Stone Mather Center and Queen IAM is centered around their shared goal of supporting girls in their educational journeys by providing them opportunities to engage with STEM. The two organizations plan to continue working together to provide additional programming in the future.
“Being able to spend our summer with STEM focused activities truly inspired the girls to open their mind and capabilities to different projects and experiences with STEM,” Willis said.