While some choose to hit the gym or eat healthy to make “gains,” members of the Girls Advancing in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Club (GAINS) find themselves learning about the science behind those changes. During Thursday CAB blocks, female-identifying students choose to investigate peripheral blood circulation or vascular elasticity, necessary knowledge for improving those mental and physical gains.
From Nov. 10 to 12, GAINS traveled to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) for the annual GAINS Conference, where club members were able to preview possible careers in STEM. Upper School (US) Science Teacher and GAINS Faculty Advisor Dr. Jennifer Gatti and US Science Department Head Stephanie Guilmet chaperoned six students on this year’s trip.
In addition to acquiring GAINS merch, students had the chance to attend “tech talks,” brief lessons taught by CMU professors or graduate students. They also visited noteworthy locations, including the Pittsburgh University Sports Center, where they met the athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Duolingo headquarters, which gave students the opportunity to learn about software and artificial intelligence.
Although Dr. Gatti has attended the GAINS Conference before, she still appreciates watching students meet fellow women in STEM, she said.
“One of the biggest highlights is watching our students meet and network with so many other students,” she said. “In STEM, connections are so important, and I think one of the most critical skills that we can impart to our students is how to meet and interact with others not only across shared interests, but also to help discover new interests.”
Every year, the conference expands her ideas for the school’s club, Dr. Gatti said.
“My goal in my work with GAINS is to continue to help students be excited about diving into STEM and about trying new things. The conference definitely helps with this, as the topics are different each year, and students get to choose the sessions they are most interested in attending.”
For Dr. Gatti, GAINS is a safe environment for young women to connect and look ahead to their futures, she said.
“I think that having a space where female- identifying and non-binary students can explore their interests in STEM in an engaging, low-risk, and collaborative environment is really valuable,” she said. “Female and non- binary representation is not equal across STEM disciplines, and starting early to show our students what is out there and possible can contribute to change and make them feel like they belong.”
Co-President Lucy Song ’26 has shared a similar love for GAINS since joining her freshman year, she said.
“I think it’s really empowering for female students to explore their interests and learn more about a field that has usually been dominated by men in the past.”
Despite the growing number of women in STEM, many continue to face discrimination in their fields, Lucy said.
“A lot of women face being the only female in their field. A lot of the programs that they go through, such as college STEM majors, are less than 50% women. Clearly, the field is very male-dominated, which can be hard for women to overcome.”
Co-President Princess Adeoye ’27 values the safe space that GAINS offers, she said.
“I don’t have a lot of outlets to be as much of a nerd as I want to be, and I feel like GAINS is filled with a bunch of people who want to embrace that.”
The GAINS community has helped Co- President Aleeza Riaz ’25 develop confidence, she said.
“When I was a freshman, I lacked confidence, but I knew that I wanted to work in the medical field. Going to CAB on Thursdays helped me dive into activities that strengthened my interests in STEM.”
Additionally, those involved in the club consistently show up with a desire to learn, Aleeza said.
“I meet a lot of people from across grades who are really passionate about what they are doing … Everyone leads with enthusiasm and compassion, which can really make the difference and make someone feel like they’re involved.”
At CMU’s conference, the attendees formed unexpected connections, Aleeza said.
“It was really fun when we would walk to the conference every day or at night when we would hang out,” she said. “I think because everyone was so excited to be there, they were showing up as their true selves, and that’s what allowed us to appreciate one another for who we are.
GAINS member Harper Dubovik ’27 agreed.
“The group of girls that was there was a really good group. I feel like we just got to know each other better, and it was super fun.”
Next year, GAINS won’t have to travel far for the annual conference, which will be held in Boston at Northeastern University.
