DeSTEMber.

Girlstart, in its continued efforts to empower and equip girls in STEM education, is partnering with the Google Science Fair for a special DeSTEMber program – featuring 31 days of fun, innovative STEM activities in December. The program will be hosted on the Google+ Pages of Girlstart and The Google Science Fair and on the program’s official website, www.destember.org.

DeSTEMber will feature daily activities and experiments – many hosted by special guests including National Geographic, CERN, Scientific American and AccuWeather – that can be done at home with common household items. Experiments include making a tornado in a jar, bending water, making a lava lamp, making soap, and other fun, hands-on projects which engage young learners while integrating STEM education principles.

Google+ will be the hub for the month-long celebration of STEM. Students and adults will be able to practice experiments and chat live with Girlstart, representatives and finalists of the Google Science Fair and special guests using Google+ Hangouts.

“By creating DeSTEMber last year, we created a place for girls to go and stay engaged with STEM learning during a time of year when school is out of session,” said Tamara Hudgins, executive director for Girlstart. “It provides a great opportunity for hands-on learning outside of the classroom, and we created an online program with that inquiry and discovery process in mind.”

“Bringing Google+ into the equation allows us to enrich and expand DeSTEMber even further,” added Julie Shannan, Girlstart Deputy Director. “Not only can participants use Google+ to compare notes and collaborate, but we’re able to conect girls interested in STEM careers to women working in the STEM field.”