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Adventure in the Wilderness Exploring Sciences (AWES)

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Description

Girls/Boys Explore! is a free summer science program for underserved high school students (9th to 12 grade) to learn science hands-on while backpacking through the wilderness. It will have separate trips for girls and boys. Girls/Boys Explore! was created to increase opportunities for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and other groups underrepresented in fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

Girls/Boys Explore! was established in 2018 by Dr. Boeing (Department of Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Ecology) at NMSU.

Mission

Girls/Boys Explore! strives to cultivate a passion for environmental science and stewardship, develop leadership abilities, enhance critical thinking skills, and promote teamwork. This program provides students with the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in science and experiential education while immersed in a supportive community of peers.

Our Program

Each Summer, Girls/Boys Explore! will run one-week outdoor science experiences for local students from grades 9-12.

During this one-week experience, students will learn ecology, wildlife, environmental, and earth sciences, and other topics by exploring their surroundings with local scientists. This mentally, physically, and academically challenging trip rewards you with a deep understanding of your natural surroundings and your own leadership strengths.

Three girls, one holding a tadpole

Learn the real-world skills needed to become a natural scientist.

Image of GALS outdoors walking thru a trail and a group picture in full backpacking gear
Students will plan and implement their own scientific studies and will gain outdoor skills.

Quotes from Past Participants

  • "The Girls/Boys Explore! Program was truly a one-of-a-kind program and helped me grow so much."
    • Annabella Crowley; 4 years after participating!
  • "I will remember this trip as one of the best things I have ever experienced."
  • "I will remember this trip forever and will continue it into my life in many ways."
  • "On the long hike home, I realized how much I had grown and how much more comfortable I was around myself, other people, and nature."
  • "I can't believe all the memories I have made and all the new things I have experienced."
  • "I learned so many things I didn't know."
  • "Hikes were great; I had so much fun and energy!"
  • "My favorite part was everything, there is too much to choose: hot springs, games, science, making new and great friends, pizza, leaders, scenery, hikes, secret questions."
  • "Everything was really fun!"
  • "Girls/Boys Explore! can improve by making it longer!"
  • " I loved chilling with all the other students, relaxing without phones, and enjoying each others company."

Quote from Dr. Ivette Guzman (Associate Professor, NMSU)

Such an awesome opportunity for some lucky students. I had a similar summer experience when I was an undergraduate, and it totally changed my life and career path. The graduate students (trip leaders) are so awesome for doing this for these young students and are such great role models for them. Have fun this summer...

Made Possible by Our Sponsors

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Pledge

Our ability to be a scientist is not dependent on our gender (Burt, C. L.; Moore, R. C. (1912). "The mental differences between the sexes". Journal of Experimental Pedagogy. 1: 355–388.) nor our skin color (color is just skin deep: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/genetic-study-shows-skin-color-just-skin-deep-180965261/). Unfortunately, there are differences in the way we are viewed by society and opportunities we are given that are based on our gender and skin color.

Here is my Girls/Boys Explore! pledge to you: I will support you and whatever dreams you have in whatever way I can!

New Mexico State University (NMSU) is dedicated to providing equal opportunities in our employment and learning environments. NMSU does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status in its programs and activities as required by equal opportunity/affirmative action regulations and laws and university policy and rules.