Just before the start of the 2024-25 academic year, Greg DiLisi, Professor of Education at John Carroll University, learned that “Girls of WiSTEM,” an enrichment program he helped co-develop, was awarded the Meggers Project Award by the American Institute of Physics.
This news came as a significant surprise to DiLisi and co-principal investigator Megan Davis, the founder of the Future Leaders Girls Group and a veteran teacher with over 15 years of experience in the Lakewood City School District, given how rarely these $25,000 awards are granted.
“The Meggers Project Awards are only granted by the American Institute of Physics to a few universities or museums every other year, so we were very excited to be selected,” he said. “We were the unanimous recommendation of the selection committee to receive the award because ‘Girls of WiSTEM’ was seen to be an innovative, sustainable, model that can be replicated, and targets a group that is in high need (i.e. migrant female students).”
Beginning this semester, “Girls of WiSTEM” will provide high-school-age refugee, migrant and native young women with after school opportunities to learn about physics and physics-based careers through a series of after-school activities culminating in the March 13-14 total lunar eclipse. Because Cleveland lies within the path of totality for this event, participants will have the opportunity to experience a truly awe-inspiring celestial event.
DiLisi states that the grant funding will mainly be used to support specialized afterschool sessions focused on physics, bringing tailored content directly to students at their high schools. The grant will also enable DiLisi and his team to acquire equipment, allowing students to participate in hands-on activities in physics, astronomy, and earth/space sciences. Furthermore, the funding will give students the opportunity to visit John Carroll University, helping them to see themselves as capable, college-ready learners and encouraging them to pursue careers in physics and other STEM fields.
The "Girls of WiSTEM" program not only supports local area students but also provides valuable opportunities for John Carroll students. JCU student-teachers will be invited to participate in the outreach efforts alongside DiLisi, gaining hands-on experience. Additionally, the activities developed for the project will be integrated into DiLisi's three STEM courses for primary and middle-level educators, further enhancing their learning and teaching skills.
“The spirit and resiliency demonstrated by these students in the face of some of life’s toughest situations have been powerful inspirations,” DiLisi said. “This project will help them begin to envision themselves as capable and college-ready learners, empowering them to see themselves in physics-oriented and STEM-oriented careers.”