About GEMS

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Our Mission

To expand the vision of our community's elementary school age girls by providing exploration opportunities in math and science.

Our Organization

GEMS is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 with the objective of encouraging young girls to continue studying math and science throughout their school careers. Participant sign-up is available to girls in the fourth and fifth grades. The program is currently offered in the Loveland/Berthoud area schools. GEMS is a 501(c)3 organization.

Our Activities

• Annual Exploration Seminar: A half day event in February/March offering career presentations and hands-on workshops.
• High School Senior Scholarship: Each year, a female high school senior in Loveland or Berthoud pursuing math and/or science in college is chosen to receive a $1000 scholarship.
• After-School Programs: Activities and tours hosted by role models from diverse career fields.

Our Board of Directors

The GEMS Board of directors contains up to 17 members, all of whom are female professionals in Northern Colorado.

Our Board of Directors currently contains women in career fields including chemical engineering, avian hematology, computer science, school education, chemistry, chiropractic medicine, personnel, bookkeeping, and consumer & family studies.

New Board of Directors members are recommended by a current member of the board and then voted on by the rest of the current Board of Directors members.

Our History

Test data shows that girls perform equal to or better than boys in math and science until the 4th or 5th grade. At that time, and on through their high school years, test scores for boys continue to increase while those for girls decrease.

This data prompted Elizabeth Howard Garehime to take action! In early 1993, she founded GEMS with the intent of expanding the vision of young girls relative to their abilities and opportunities in math and science.

GEMS is governed by a volunteer board of directors compromised of local business, education, and community professionals. GEMS is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Financial support has been provided by grants as well as by numerous local community businesses and individuals

Contact Us

For more information about GEMS, please contact us at info@gemsgirls.org.