2023 GESTEM Committee

Girls Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (GESTEM) is an annual event focused on introducing young women in Colorado to diverse careers in STEM through hands-on activities. The primary goal of the event is to get underrepresented students excited about the possibilities in technical or engineering focused disciplines and enable them to build confidence in seeing themselves pursuing a STEM career in the future.

In 2022, the event was back in person, hosting 640 7th grade girls on a college campus. Volunteers facilitated 29 workshops across 6 focus areas including Power It, Tech It, Build It, Examine It, Conserve It, and Explore It. Each student attended 3 workshops and were grouped with other students and their volunteer guide to get them to the workshops. 12 corporate and 1 nonprofit partners sponsored the event, which keeps the event free and equitable to students. 27 organizations provided materials for their workshops for 72 students. Volunteers for the event ranged from SWE members, industry professionals, parents, local teachers, and STEM advocates. Volunteers received training for the event that also covered how to interact with the students and covered the youth protection policy. The event brought together students from underrepresented schools and engaged them in interactive activities with real professionals. The event also excited STEM advocates among teachers and parents.

2023 marks the 19th year for GESTEM, and the committee is busy preparing for the event to host over 1,000 attendees. To put together such a large outreach event successfully, GESTEM requires a planning committee of 15-20 members to invest over 1,000 hours planning the event to secure the venue, vendors, sponsors, company presentations, school participants & chaperones, buses, “day of volunteers,” and keynote speakers. Let’s meet the 2023 GESTEM Committee. We asked our committee members to share their role in the STEM community and what motivates them to be part of GESTM. 

Sarah Gilmore, GESTEM Chair, is a district sales manager at Keysight Technologies. Sarah had dedicated many years to leading the GESTEM committee to impressive outcomes and learned project management skills. Sarah loves to bring together this group to provide high quality STEM outreach to over 1,000 middle school girls. 

Fundraising and Sponsorship is led by Amy Tank and Marisa Ceppi. Amy Tank is an accomplished engineering manager with expertise in the design, development, and delivery of complex systems. Amy appreciates being able to inspire with STEM and has been part of the committee for 5 years. Marisa Ceppi is an engineer and STEM advocate. Marisa is horrified every time she talks to a collegiate woman who didn’t know what engineering was until they got to college. 

Corey Schlager leads Event Logistics with Tracey Whaley. Corey Schlager is an industrial engineer that analyzes major capital investments for a federal agency. Corey is constantly inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of the younger generation for solving the many challenges we face today and excited to support and encourage future engineers. Tracey Whaley is a commissioning regional manager at AECOM. Tracey has served in a variety of roles at the SWE local section, region, and society levels and enjoys supporting the section with its largest outreach event. 

Jessica Swenson, Grace Taylorgoodall, and Debra Long are coordinating the 40+ workshops with 300+ presenters. Jessica Swenson leads this subcommittee and work as an operations engineer in the energy industry. Jessica wants to share her passion for engineering! She hopes that our event inspires creativity,  and shows how important scientists and engineers are to making the world go round. Grace Taylorgoodall is a manufacturing engineer in the surgical innovations group at Medtronic. Grace is motivated to introduce young girls to STEM fields early on in their lives and build their confidence to choose their interests based on their own desires rather than what society might dictate. Debra Long is a project engineer for systems test at Ball Aerospace. Debra had the opportunity to take a lot of technology courses in my middle school and high school. She thinks it is important for girls to understand there are many, many different types of engineers. 

Student registration for over 1,000 registrants is led by Erin Doan. Erin Doan is a software engineer at Lockheed Martin. Erin creates opportunity to explore various engineering career tracks, gain valuable insight into the world of engineering, and discover the career path best suited to them. 

Each group of girls is navigated through their GESTEM experience with a volunteer guide. Betsy Gillard lead the organization of the guides with Sally Kammer. Betsy Gillard is a full-stack engineer. Betsy believes engineering and tech are for everyone! She want kids to feel free to pursue their dreams, whatever they are, and not be held back by outdated gender stereotypes. Sally Kammer is an engineer who likes to mentor, encourage, volunteer, and grow. Sally is motivated by seeing young women explore STEM; wondering as they try something new, and then the big smile as they figure it out.  

Christi Wisleder oversees the GESTEM Communications and Social Media efforts. Christi Wisleder is a civil project manager, STEM advocate, and VP of Outreach for SWE RMS. Christi knows that GESTEM is fun and inspiring for both the students and volunteers. With declining interest in STEM fields from Gen Z and Gen A and growing demand, it’s critical and we spur interest in these exciting fields.

The Parent Educator Program (PEP) highlights innovative education tactics to teach girls STEM and keep them engaged. Gabby Bailado leads the PEP subcommittee with Heather Munoz. Gabby Bailado is a business development manager for Keysight Technologies. Gabby hopes to inspire attendees who are curious about STEM, to follow their dreams. Even if just one individual is inspired that day, it’s worth it! Heather Munoz is an engineering director on solar projects and a collegiate counselor with SWE RMS. Heather’s passion for STEM was cultivated in 5th grade through weekly science challenges, so she wants to help expose girls to STEM, and let them see what being a woman in engineering looks like.

A successful GESTEM event relies on our amazing volunteers! Give kudos to these dedicated committee members in the comments, on social media, or when you see them at GESTEM on May 19. 

Keep in mind these upcoming opportunities to contribute to GESTEM. Follow RMS on social media and sign up for the GESTEM newsletter to learn when these volunteer opportunities become available:

• Group Guide – Lead a group of ~8 girls through the event, interacting with them on a one-on-one basis all day. 
• Workshop Presenter – Share what you love to do with GESTEM participants! Design and present a hands-on workshop highlighting a STEM field.
• Floaters – Even if you can’t attend the entire event, we would love your help! Registration, lunch distribution, student wrap-up and many other events during the day are in need of dedicated volunteers. 

Learn more about GESTEM by checking out the GESTEM webpage.