Inspired by the dream of Larissa Vingilis-Jaremko when she was just 9 years old, CAGIS is a network of girls, aged 7-16 who like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and want to learn more. The purpose of CAGIS is to promote, educate and support interest and confidence in STEM among girls. CAGIS chapter members, aged 7-16, meet monthly to explore STEM with fun, hands-on activities led by women and men specializing in many different fields. Since CAGIS is for girls by girls, members are encouraged to take an active role in the development of their own club by voicing their opinions, exploring their interests, writing for the newsletter, writing for New Moon Magazine, and helping to organize the regular chapter events.

Larissa's initiative was recognized in 1995 by the Canadian Government when they gave her an Honorable Mention at the Michael Smith Awards for Science Promotion. She was also honoured in 1999 as a Young Woman of Distinction by the YMCA-YWCA of London for her tireless effort in encouraging girls' interest in science. In 2001, she received a full 4 year scholarship, as one of twenty scholarship recipients across Canada to receive the TD Canada Trust Scholarship for Outstanding Community Leadership. In 2004 CAGIS was honoured as a recipient of the prestigious Michael Smith Award for its excellence in science promotion. Most recently, Larissa’s contribution to improving the lives of girls in Toronto is being recognized by the YWCA of Toronto as their 2006 Young Woman of Distinction.

Since 1995 CAGIS has expanded and now has a number of chapters across Canada, with new chapters in development.

CAGIS members, aged 7-16, meet regularly to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with women and men who have chosen careers in science and technology fields. There are opportunities to talk about school, careers, and other issues that concern girls when they think about their futures. There is also lots of time for fun!

Chapter events, held on weekends or after school, last 1-2 hours, and occur at the workplace of the presenter, giving the girls a "behind-the-scenes" look at science and technology. They consist of a mini presentation introducing a STEM concept, followed by fun, hands-on activities to consolidate the learning and make science fun.

CAGIS is very broad in its definition of STEM, holding events as diverse as the physics of music, or the chemistry of cooking to let our members know that science is everywhere. Members have learned how to build websites from scratch, examined swamp water under microscopes, and learned how to check vital signs from doctors.

Past events have included:

• building and testing bridges in a wind tunnel
• sampling plant communities in forests and fields
• the physics of figure skating
• performing orthopaedic surgery on rubber knees
• CSI and forensic science
• the physics of art restoration
• computer science and website development
• dentistry and searching for cavities
• mechanics and the internal combustion engine
• the chemistry of cosmetics
• flight and aviation, to name a few

Members also keep in touch through our quarterly newsletter and our website (www.cagis.ca). The CAGIS website features regularly changing science topics and a password protected "clubhouse" where members can enter contests, do science experiments, read about great Canadians in science, play games, and communicate with other members across Canada on the message board. Members also receive a one year subscription to YES Mag, Canada’s science and technology magazine for kids! CAGIS also has a partnership with New Moon magazine which gives our members the opportunity to become a published (and paid!) writer by writing for their "Science Side Effects" section.

Many years of research throughout Canada and the United States has shown that girls begin science education at a disadvantage and fall behind in school, not because of lack of interest, but because of lack of exposure. A recent University of Michigan study found that giving girls hands-on science activities helped close the gap. The researchers recommended that teachers and parents encourage girls to participate in science clubs and fairs, because "girls tend to respond more favourably to co-operative, small group environments."