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About GISTGirls in Science & Technology (GIST) is an after school enrichment activity at Portola Middle School in Tarzana, CA. The goal of this group is to expose 8th grade girls to the many potential careers within science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, and motivate them to pursue further education in these areas. We approach this goal through hands-on activities, encouraging an open learning environment for girls to explore and experience science and technology. We also connect our girls with women in science careers so they can find knowledgeable mentors and gain a better understanding of specific STEM careers.
We meet twice a month on Wednesdays after school. Each month has a theme following a different field of science. This group is coordinated by the women of the CSUN Women in Science group and our Portola Middle School faculty sponsors, Karen Perry, Ruth Gramajo, and Darshana Shah. |
CSUN WiS |
The California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Women in Science (WIS) Club is intended to be an encouraging environment to help university women (undergraduate, graduate, staff, and faculty) think about and face challenges in their academic and career development. We hold monthly meetings open to CSUN women and men, which include research-based discussions of issues that women face in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, and short skill-development workshops. We also organize events to promote gender equity and the retention of women in STEM fields, and provide a supportive network of colleagues at all levels of academic career advancement.
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Faculty Sponsor |
Darshana Shah has been teaching for over 30 years, and has taught at Portola Middle School since 1987. She received her master's degree in Biology from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, India, along with a degree in Education. She taught for two years in India before moving to the United States. She lived in Houston, Texas for 4 years, then moved to California. She received her teaching credential from California State University, Northridge. To add to her long list of awards and grants, she was recently awarded the 2016 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA).
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