
6 minute read
STEM AT GIRARD COLLEGE: Envisioning the Possibilities
Stoking students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math and helping them discover the wide array of STEM career opportunities is Marquita Lewis’ mission as Girard College’s new STEM Director.
Lewis is committed to providing innovative STEM programs that help students explore how STEM skills are applied across various career fields.
“You never know what they encounter today and how it could shape their future tomorrow,” she said.
Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and General Science, along with her teaching certification, from Cheyney University. She also holds a Master of Arts in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan. Lewis recently completed her Master of Science in Educational Administration, with Supervisor of Curriculum, and Instruction at Gwynedd Mercy University.
Throughout her educational career, Lewis has witnessed how science can spark curiosity and transform students’ lives. Her passion for STEM and her desire to inspire students to engage with science led her to pursue the STEM Director position at Girard.
“When I read the job description, I thought, ‘Wow, this sounds neat and something I could do.’ I’ve always believed that every student deserves the same opportunity to excel and be exposed to the best. Helping to establish a STEM center where students have access to state-ofthe-art resources would be the ideal environment for them to thrive.” continued on page 8
The architect for the STEM Center has been selected, and approvals for the facility are pending.
“We are looking toward the summer of 2027 for a completion date to be able to open when students arrive in the fall of 2027,” Lewis said.
I’ve always believed that every student deserves the same opportunity to excel and be exposed to the best. Helping to establish a STEM center where students have access to state-of-the-art resources would be the ideal environment for them to thrive.
—MARQUITA LEWIS, STEM DIRECTOR

continued from page 7
“The center isn’t meant to replace the classrooms,” she explained. “We will continue to have traditional classrooms in the high school, while the STEM Center will serve as a hands-on lab for projects and experiments.”
Although the new STEM Center will take a few years to complete, Lewis ensured that every grade participated in at least one STEM program this school year. Additionally, she is designing curriculum for each grade level, set to be implemented in the 2025–2026 academic year.
“We are trying to incorporate the whole campus into the STEM curriculum development,” she said. “I also want to make sure our curriculum meets the new STEELS (Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability) standards that are being implemented across the state this fall.”
Lewis has been actively forging partnerships with community organizations throughout this school year. Collaborations include the University of Pennsylvania, Community College of Philadelphia’s Jr. STEM Program, the Urban Youth Racing School, Design Science, the University City Science Center, the Girls Inc. Eureka! program, and the Enhancing Our Environment program offered by the Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
She also is creating connections with valuable summer internship opportunities for high school students. One such opportunity is the Penn Research Experience, where Girard is among a few select private schools invited to participate in the program this summer. Additionally, Naval STEM Interns offers another prestigious summer internship, and
Girard senior Saadir Sommers has been selected as an apprentice for the 2025 Office of Naval Research Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program.
Lewis secured $10,000 worth of equipment from the Community College of Philadelphia’s Jr. STEM Academy to create a makerspace in the Elementary and Middle School building. The equipment includes a 3D printer, two robotic arms, 15 different LEGO kits, and micro:bits for coding projects, science fair presentation materials, and a microscope. Lewis also received a generous donation from Target for science supplies.
This past fall, Lewis introduced eighth graders to the Future Techstyles program at the University City Science Center, while high school students had the opportunity to participate in the Urban Youth
Racing School (UYRS) at Harrisburg University in Center City Philadelphia. (See Racing School story by Gabe Grant ’27 on page 11.)
Channing Scott, a Girard sophomore, enjoyed gaining more knowledge about cars and the history of racing at UYRS.
“I learned about how black racers weren’t allowed to race so they made their own auto race called the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes,” she said.
At first, Channing didn’t want to take the course because she was not interested in engineering.
Despite her reservations, she enjoyed learning about race car design, aerodynamics, racing terminology, and how to navigate the track where she and her classmates drove electric Go Karts.
“I learned I’m good at driving,” said Channing, who placed second in the championship race at the end of the course.

University of Pennsylvania graduate student Steven Gassner explains an electromagnetism concept to seventh grade students.
Learning About Technology and E-textiles
Eighth grader Kaleb Ryan described the Future Techstyles program as “challenging but fun.”
Kaleb and his classmates learned how to apply design thinking to create new uses for e-textiles and wearable technology. They also learned how to code and sew material.
Initially, Kaleb was uncertain if he would like the coding part of the course.
“I’m not too into coding, but it ended up being fun,” he said. “I learned how to code little devices to do whatever I needed them to do.”
For the Future Techstyles final showcase, he and his teammates Jayden Peterson and Tahmir Davis designed a blanket made with antimicrobial material that adjusted its temperature based on a person’s body heat.
The blanket was one of five projects the eighth graders created for the continued on page 10 continued from page 9 showcase at FirstHand Labs in the University City Science Center. Each team had to create a new product, design a prototype of the product, and make a poster describing its purpose.

Eighth grade students are pictured with their certificates of achievement after presenting their electronic devices at the Future Techstyles Final Showcase last December at the Science Center in University City.
Other projects included a programmable wrist device that prevented unauthorized access to buildings, a lighted mirror that displayed positive affirmations, a safety device for children that alerted parents if their child was in danger, and a stuffed animal with a button that displayed positive messages.
Overall Kaleb enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the new STEM program.
“I ended up liking it, and it was a positive experience,” he said. “Now I know I have a little bit of that knowledge I can use if I want to go down that path.”

