G.I.R.L.S. (Getting Into Real Life Science) and the Health Professions

The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), Office of School Health Programs is implementing an educational initiative, G.I.R.L.S. (Getting into Real Life Science) and Health Professions, designed to increase the participation of historically underrepresented minority women (African-American, Hispanic, and Native American) in careers in public health, science, and medicine.

The G.I.R.L.S. program targets underserved minority girls in grades 7-9 in New York City public middle schools in the East Harlem. The initiative provides a wide range of after-school learning opportunities including academic support and enrichment needed to thrive in high school, college, and graduate school; hands-on exploration of a variety of careers in public health, science and medicine; and positive interaction and mentoring experiences with minority women health professionals. The program provides gender-specific learning opportunities to promote resilience, 21st century life skills, and health skills development. Activities incorporate the cultural context of girls' lives and address societal issues that present challenges to success. Dynamic opportunities to practice non-academic competencies such as leadership, creativity, responsibility, curiosity, problem-solving, higher order thinking, and public speaking skills are integrated into the program activities. The program includes educational opportunities for the girls in tandem with their mothers, caregivers, or other women in their lives who can serves as allies and support for their academic, career, personal, and health goals.

Data will be presented. Capacity building handouts will be provided.