Eureka! Program Powers Girls to Succeed in STEM Fields

A group of female students sit and stand in front of physics equipment in a lab at UAlbany.

Eureka! students visit the physics labs at UAlbany as part of their summer program. (Photo by Assistant Professor of Physics Cecilia Levy)

By Michael Parker

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 21, 2022) — For the fifth consecutive year, the University at Albany is partnering with Girls Inc. of the Capital Region to provide girls with an introduction to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while encouraging personal development, sports, mentorship and career exploration.

A nationally recognized endeavor by Girls Inc. that provides hands-on opportunities in STEM, the Capital Region Girls Inc. Eureka! program has 57 girls from a number of different schools learning about atmospheric and environmental sciences, mathematics and statistics, physics, psychology, women’s studies, geography and planning, chemistry, ChoreoPhysics and biology.

A group of girls surround the weather cluster at Mesonet outside in a field. — A group of girls from the Eureka! program visit the weather sensor cluster of UAlbany's Mesonet program. (Photo by Kelly Mucci, Girls Inc., used by permission)

Students are currently attending UAlbany in a summer camp environment for four weeks, where they are learning from current University professors and graduate students.

The program at UAlbany is hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences under the direction of Assistant Dean for Public Engagement, Debernee Privott.

“The Girls Inc. Eureka! Program is an outstanding collaboration that celebrates participants while encouraging them to be strong, smart, and bold, particularly in areas that stand to benefit from their brilliance,” said Privott. “We are grateful to partners who share this meaningful desire, inspiring participants to shine as brightly as they were designed to shine.”

This year’s students will take part in a culminating ceremony on Aug. 4, which will include poster presentations as well as formal thanks and congratulations to students, faculty, staff, community partners, volunteers and parents.

“I love seeing the growth of the girls, witnessing them having their first early experiences in STEM and becoming confident that they can do anything they put their mind to,” said Eureka! Manager/Albany Site Manager Kelly Mucci. “It is promising that they have phenomenal women in these fields to mentor them and be role models for them."