The GEMS program for middle level girls has been active in the local community since 1994 through a partnership of the Champaign Community Unit School District and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. The first website for the program was created by a team of girls using NCSA Mosiac developed at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. GEMS was created as a way to encourage girls to consider mathematics-oriented and science-oriented careers, to gain confidence in doing mathematics and science, and to take advanced level mathematics and science courses in high school. The GEMS program has provided participants with visits research laboratories, guest speakers, after-school activities, a network of female role models, and opportunities to work side-by-side with a mentor in laboratories across the community.

As the GEMS program grows, so do its activities to include the use of emerging technologies and communication tools such as the Access Grid. The Girls on the Grid component of GEMS utilizes Access Grid technology ( www.accessgrid.org ) to link girls in grades 6-12 to peers, scientists, and leading women in science and mathematics world-wide.

For more information, please visit http://gems.ncsa.uiuc.edu.