ERSC Helps Polish a Generation of GEMS

11 Oct ERSC Helps Polish a Generation of GEMS

ERSC engineers participate in local event promoting STEM education and Civil Engineering among girls in the Inland Empire.

Engineers Katherine and Stephania Hernandez were among the professional women supporting and mentoring the bright minds of Girls Excelling in Mathematics with Success (GEMS) at the 2019 STEMfest. United Way of the Inland Valleys hosted the event at the Bourns, Inc. headquarters in Riverside, CA.
The American Society of Civil Engineers Younger Member Forum of San Bernardino-Riverside (SB-R YMF) facilitated a group project activity at the event in which teams of young ladies combined their skills in math and critical thinking to solve an engineering problem. The Hernandez’s and other engineering professionals circulated during the activity, lending advice and guidance based on their professional experience.
This kind of environment creates a vibrant think tank atmosphere that encourages the girls to leverage their abilities and celebrate their inherent love of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. While professionals are onsite to provide guidance, the groups work independently and experience the kind of scope and workflow they might encounter while working at an engineering firm.
The young ladies who attend this yearly United Way GEMS gathering also glean benefits far beyond hands-on practice. The vision of GEMS is to “inspire a love for math and science in seventh-grade girls, and to encourage STEM-related careers.” The program invests in their futures at a critical age when questions of college and future can begin to surface. Interacting with successful female professionals who are paving the way provides proof that their dreams and talents are as valid as their male classmates.
ERSC is proud to send staff to this event. We believe that our industry is rife with opportunity for females and are proud to help foster inclusion wherever we can. For more information on ERSC and our dynamic and diverse team of professionals, please visit www.erscinc.com.