What is G-Force?
G-force is a club for girls in grades 6-8 that are specifically interested in the areas of science, engineering, and STEM. This club began in 2019 as a pilot, started by Mrs. Peterson (8th grade science teacher) and Mrs. Gudewicz (now a science teacher at Sandwich Middle School). It was started as an outlet for middle school girls to build confidence, enjoy learning science, and find community.
Club Information
Lead Advisor: Mrs. Peterson (8th Grade Science)
For the 2023-2024 school year, the club will run in 2 sessions (1 per semester). We typically meet once a week, after school, for about 6 weeks each session.
Making an Impact
In 2022 G-Force collaborated with Master Naturalist Ms. Peggy Doty and submitted 2 proposals to Rise Challenge Illinois, a grant opportunity for grades 5-10 through the Environmental Education Association of Illinois.
After multiple written proposals, videos, and Q&A sessions, the girls were awarded thousands of dollars to replant the detention area at the south end of the bike path behind the middle school. Garbage cans for trash and dog waste receptacles along the bike path were also included in this proposal.
On Tuesday, May 31st, G-Force hosted a community planting day in which 1,000 plants were planted by students, staff, and volunteers for our project, making the area less susceptible to flooding and more hospital to native wildlife.
In 2022-2023, G-Force hopes to build on this amazing work as a focus in our fall session.
