
Geek Is Glam STEM Expo has run as an annual day-long interactive STEM conference for middle school girls (grades 4-8) since 2014. Hosted by Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute campus, GSCWM recruits some 60 to 80 education and adventure collaborators each year to give girls access to some of the region’s top scientific and engineering minds as they engage in the exploration and discovery of science, technology, engineering and mathematics on the beautiful WPI campus.
Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
For Girls in Grades 4-8
$65 per girl (includes lunch, snacks, a GiG t-shirt, drawstring backpack, and an exclusive GiG patch)
Registration opens August 4
Registration Closes September 19
Have you ever wondered, “How does that work?” or thought to yourself, “I could build that!” Explore, experience and experiment, not for a grade, but for fun! Meet talented women and experience exciting opportunities in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Discover how you can make a difference in the world.
This is a girl-only event, ADULTS DROP OFF AND DO NOT STAY WITH THEIR GIRLS. Volunteers are always welcome to join us for the day, please see below.
If you have any questions about our Geek is Glam event please email us at info@gscwm.org
At Geek is Glam, you'll enjoy:
This is a girl-only event, adults drop off and do not stay with their girls.
We are looking for adults to volunteer with us for the day! If you would like to be a part of this great event, please fill out our Volunteer Interest form at https://go.gscwm.org/GiG25Volunteer.
Volunteers are needed to assist in workshops, run registration, direct girls, be hall monitors, and various other opportunities. All volunteers must be a registered member of Girl Scouts, have an active CORI on file with GSCWM, and understand they will not be with their troop or daughter for the day. The first 35 approved volunteers will receive a Geek is Glam t-shirt and all volunteers get lunch on us!
This event is made possible by our wonderful sponsors. Would you like to join that list? Please fill out this form and return it to TBreen@gscwm.org to help us inspire our girls to a future in STEM!
Geek is Glam Media Kit
Geek is Glam Sponsorship Form & Information
We’d love to have you join us at our STEM GIG. Would you like to offer hands-on interactive workshops? Would you like to reserve a table during our Expo Hall? Would you like to put on a demonstration during our event? Are you interested in sitting on career panels and inspiring girls into STEM related fields with YOUR story? Please fill out the Expo Participation Form found at: https://go.gscwm.org/GiG25Provider and help us inspire tomorrow’s STEM leaders TODAY!
Grades 4-8
This is a very hands-on introduction to bridges with the Boston Society of Civil Engineers! You will be building numerous large-scale models of bridges and doing several other hands-on activities as you learn about all sorts of bridges: beams, trusses, deck arches, through arches, suspension bridges, cable stay bridges and balanced cantilever bridges. No prior knowledge of any school subject necessary.
Session 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Grade 4-5
Discover the uniqueness of robots using just toothbrushes with Stormgears!
Session 1, 2, 3
Grades 4-8
Have you ever been curious about different types of bridges and how they work? Join Mott MacDonald to learn about bridges and build one of your own!
Session 2
Grades 4-5
Join FIRST Robotics Team 1100 for Build Your Own Robot! The workshop will involve an introduction to robot and engineering concepts and the opportunity to build your own robot which you will be able to take home with you.
Session 1, 4
Grades 4-8
This is your chance to meet women in fascinating STEM fields, find out why they chose their particular field and what it takes to get there! With small groups, you'll have plenty of time for questions and answers and really find out what it takes to get where you want to go!
Session 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Grades 4-8
Find out about the types of workshops the Worcester Art Museum can offer your Girl Scout troops! Come try out our pigments workshop. Museum staff will go over the steps for making your own pigments for watercolor paints. We will learn about the ratios and supplies needed to transform natural powders into colored pigments that we can then use to paint with! You will also get to take home a small palette of watercolors that you prepared yourself!
Session 2
Grade 4-8
Explore Architecture throughout history and participate in a hands on design activity with Dietz and Company Architects.
Session 2
Grade 4-5
Meet a garden educator and learn about what it's like to work at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Hear about our different program offerings and participate in a flower dissection activity from our juniors Flower Power program.
Session 1, 2
Grades 4-8
Ready to dive into the world of small business ownership? Join the owners of Cedar and Sage Tax Advisors, former Girl Scouts and current Girl Scout leaders, as we take a journey from problem to pitch with stops along the way for prototypes and pointers. Time permitting, this workshop will cover the Junior Business Jumpstart badge and most of the Cadette Business Creator Badge (badges not included).
Session 1, 4, 5
Grades 6-8
This workshop includes a presentation and multiple activities on how to stay safe in the digital world. Learn about the various forms of bullying, including cyberbullying. District Attorney Early’s Office will also provide tips on protecting yourself from ne scams and how to recognize artificial intelligence (AI).
Session 1,
Grade 4-8
In this workshop you'll craft a tetrahedral kite of your own, test out tails and how your kite can team up with others to take flight with Four Rivers Charter Public School.
Session 3, 4
Grades 4-8
Solve real-world challenges using LEGOs! And guess what? You'll get to take home your creation! You'll work to complete the engineering challenge of the day.
Session 3, 5, 6
Grades 4-8
Learn more about how you think so that you can be safer, a better student, and a better communicator with Ronald G. Shapiro, PhD, LLC. We'll participate in 20-25 games which illustrate our strengths and weaknesses as we sense, perceive, think, learn, remember, make decisions, respond and multi-task. We'll also briefly discuss a career in human factors/ergonomics, which combines knowledge of engineering and psychology to design products and systems which are safe, easy and fun to use. Everyone participates in some activities. Some, but not all, adventuresome participants will participate "on stage". You may even win a prize!!!
IMPORTANT: We will be making a photo album at this session that will be emailed to participants. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE YOUR PHOTO TAKEN, PLEASE SELECT A DIFFERENT SESSION.
Session 1, 2, 5, 6
Grades 6-8
Explore how extreme temperatures can make matter change dramatically, when it really stays exactly the same with the Discovery Museum!
Session 4, 5
Grades 4-8
Owl pellets are ecological Rosetta Stones. Scientists use them to understand everything from the health of an individual owl to the strength of an entire ecosystem. But what's an owl pellet, you ask? Join an EcoTarium educator to find out, and then examine pellets yourself to find bones, plants, insects, and more! Use your mathematical skills to divide what's what's left over after an owl chows down, then stretch your reasoning to draw conclusions about a habitat and its inhabitants.
Session 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Grades 6-8
Step into the shoes of a real-life civil engineer and reimagine what your dream school could be! In this exciting, hands-on workshop, you will explore how land development and site design shape the way we learn, move, and connect at school. Using the site of an existing school as your canvas, you’ll learn how professional site engineers design new schools with accessibility, safety, and sustainability in mind. You'll roll up your sleeves and dive into creative challenges like: separating bus and car traffic to keep drop-off zones safe and efficient, solving stormwater drainage issues to protect the environment, and working around real-world site constraints like trees, slopes, and wetlands. You’ll discover the powerful role engineering plays in shaping communities—and how your ideas can help build a better future. Let’s design a school with Samiotes Consultants, Inc., where everyone belongs, and every voice matters.
Session 1
Grades 4-8
Hello future laboratorians! Take a peek into what happens at a hospital laboratory: What does a laboratory technician do in the hospital laboratory and why is it so awesome? What do laboratory technicians know that doctors and nurses do not? In this workshop with Cristina Taylor, MD, you will make a slide of your own mouth and see it using a microscope. There will be a chance to solve medical puzzles using understanding of the laboratory and to handle (with gloves on!) real samples from the hospital lab. Free Hershey's Kiss for any Girl Scout willing to use the microscope to look at a slide of poop!
Session 1, 3, 4, 5 ,6
Grade 4-5
Discover how physics work together to see who can make the tallest tower with Stormgears!
Session 4, 5, 6
Grades 6-8
Help Barry the Labrador! Figure out why he is having difficulty finishing his walks and has been coughing. Design a medical device with Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University to help diagnose what ails him. Learn about how veterinarians figure out what is wrong with their patients and how inventions by biomedical engineers help them accomplish this.
Session 1, 2, 4, 5
Grade 4-8
Get ready to start your own company! In this fast-paced and creative workshop with Worcester Polytechnic Institute, you’ll team up with others to create your very own business using mystery items from a surprise bag. Will you launch a robotics company to make midnight snacks, a mobile app that helps with homework, or something totally wild? You’ll name your business, design your product, and pitch your idea to the group. If you like inventing, imagining, and working with friends, this workshop is for you.
Session 2
Grades 6-8
Get your hands wet and see the science for yourself! Learn how increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing changes to the global circulation, most notably in the Atlantic ocean, how the ocean changes are affecting marine life, and ways we can all have a positive impact with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There will be hands-on experiments, short videos, and discussions.
Session 5
Grades 6-8
Get your hands wet and see the science for yourself! Learn how increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing extreme and changing weather, how the weather events are impacting human and marine life, and ways we can all have a positive impact with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There will be hands-on experiments, short videos, and discussions.
Session 3
Grades 6-8
Get your hands wet and see the science for yourself! Learn how increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing sea levels to rise, how these rising sea levels are impacting humans, and ways we can all have a positive impact with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There will be hands-on experiments, short videos, and discussions.
Session 1
Grades 4-5
Explore how light isn’t just what we can see with our eyes, and how it can bounce, turn into a rainbow, and travel around the world with the Discovery Museum!
Session 1, 2
Grades 4-8
Are you fascinated by space? Come explore the mysteries of our galaxy (and beyond!) with the guidance of an EcoTarium educator. This is a great opportunity to work toward your Space Science Investigator Badge. Join us for an out of this world hands-on experience, and become a part of the next generation of leaders in the rapidly growing space industry!
Session 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc. is 501 c3 educational non-profit sponsoring STEM activities and star gazing events in central Massachusetts. Stop by ther table in the Expo Hall to meet Aldrich volunteers who plan to offer activities illustrating astrophotography, 3d Views of the solar system, meteorite displays, small vacuum chamber activity, UV Light Beads, displays of the types of rocks found on Mars by the Mars rovers, and astronomy books & handouts
Join the Archaeological Institute of America and meet a female archaeologist, and do some hands-on activities.
Interact with Belmont STEAM Alliance Corp.'s FIRST robotics robot and do STEM activity in the Expo Hall.
This is a very hands-on introduction to bridges with the Boston Society of Civil Engineers! You will be building numerous large-scale models of bridges and doing several other hands-on activities as you learn about all sorts of bridges: beams, trusses, deck arches, through arches, suspension bridges, cable stay bridges and balanced cantilever bridges. No prior knowledge of any school subject necessary.
Hello future laboratorians! Take a peek into what happens at a hospital laboratory: What does a laboratory technician do in the hospital laboratory and why is it so awesome? What do laboratory technicians know that doctors and nurses do not? In this workshop with Cristina Taylor, MD, you will make a slide of your own mouth and see it using a microscope. There will be a chance to solve medical puzzles using understanding of the laboratory and to handle (with gloves on!) real samples from the hospital lab. Free Hershey's Kiss for any Girl Scout willing to use the microscope to look at a slide of poop!
Ready to dive into the world of small business ownership? Join the owners of Cedar and Sage Tax Advisors, former Girl Scouts and current Girl Scout leaders, as we take a journey from problem to pitch with stops along the way for prototypes and pointers. Time permitting, this workshop will cover the Junior Business Jumpstart badge and most of the Cadette Business Creator Badge (badges not included).
Help Barry the Labrador! Figure out why he is having difficulty finishing his walks and has been coughing. Design a medical device with Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University to help diagnose what ails him. Learn about how veterinarians figure out what is wrong with their patients and how inventions by biomedical engineers help them accomplish this.
Explore Architecture throughout history and participate in a hands on design activity with Dietz and Company Architects.
Waves aren't just for the ocean! What do lasers, x-rays, and microwaves have in common?Explore how light isn’t just what we can see with our eyes, and how it can bounce, turn into a rainbow, and travel around the world with the Discovery Museum!
What makes particles of matter pop their top, weigh down balloons, or make spoons scream? Explore with Discovery Museum how extremes of temperature rule the behavior of particles, but don’t change their mass!
Owl pellets are ecological Rosetta Stones. Scientists use them to understand everything from the health of an individual owl to the strength of an entire ecosystem. But what's an owl pellet, you ask? Join an EcoTarium educator to find out, and then examine pellets yourself to find bones, plants, insects, and more! Use your mathematical skills to divide what's what's left over after an owl chows down, then stretch your reasoning to draw conclusions about a habitat and its inhabitants.
Engineer a device to explore the universe in this great opportunity to work toward your Space Science Investigator Badge with an EcoTarium educator, and become part of the next generation of leaders in extraterrestrial technology!
FBI-101: we will have some hand outs, items that you can touch and can answer any questions! Visit FBI-Boston in the Expo Hall.
Join FIRST Robotics Team 1100 for Build Your Own Robot! The workshop will involve an introduction to robot and engineering concepts and the opportunity to build your own robot which you will be able to take home with you. We'll also be in the Expo Hall-so stop by!
In this workshop you'll craft a tetrahedral kite of your own, test out tails and how your kite can team up with others to take flight with Four Rivers Charter Public School.
Come learn about how STEM connects with travel through our GSCWM travel program! At our table, we will talk travel opportunities for Girl Scouts and leaders.
Get your hands wet and see the science for yourself! Learn how increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing changes to the global circulation, most notably in the Atlantic ocean, how the ocean changes are affecting marine life, and ways we can all have a positive impact with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There will be hands-on experiments, short videos, and discussions.
Join MassWildlife in the Expo Hall!
Have you ever been curious about different types of bridges and how they work? Join Mott MacDonald to learn about bridges and build one of your own!
Unleash your science and engineering superpowers with exciting activities from the Museum of Science. Use your engineering skills to protect a snowboarder from a cascading mountain avalanche, explore the wonders of the human body, solve mind-bending puzzles, and more!
Star Wars Costumers will be in the Expo Hall for you to take pictures with, as well as some hands-on activities to show how STEM is used in costume and prop making! You can also learn all about New England Star Wars Costuming Clubs!
Have hands-on anthropod encounters in the Expo Hall with Professor Bugman Entomology Adventures!
Learn more about how you think so that you can be safer, a better student, and a better communicator with Ronald G. Shapiro, PhD, LLC. We'll participate in 20-25 games which illustrate our strengths and weaknesses as we sense, perceive, think, learn, remember, make decisions, respond and multi-task. We'll also briefly discuss a career in human factors/ergonomics, which combines knowledge of engineering and psychology to design products and systems which are safe, easy and fun to use. Everyone participates in some activities. Some, but not all, adventuresome participants will participate "on stage". You may even win a prize!!!
IMPORTANT: We will be making a photo album at this session that will be emailed to participants. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE YOUR PHOTO TAKEN, PLEASE SELECT A DIFFERENT SESSION.
Step into the shoes of a real-life civil engineer and reimagine what your dream school could be! In this exciting, hands-on workshop, you will explore how land development and site design shape the way we learn, move, and connect at school. Using the site of an existing school as your canvas, you’ll learn how professional site engineers design new schools with accessibility, safety, and sustainability in mind. You'll roll up your sleeves and dive into creative challenges like: separating bus and car traffic to keep drop-off zones safe and efficient, solving stormwater drainage issues to protect the environment, and working around real-world site constraints like trees, slopes, and wetlands. You’ll discover the powerful role engineering plays in shaping communities—and how your ideas can help build a better future. Let’s design a school with Samiotes Consultants, Inc., where everyone belongs, and every voice matters.
Be sure to join ScienceLIVE at UMass Chan Medical School in the Expo Hall to see what they have in store for you this year!
Join the Star Wars Droid Builders in the Expo Hall and now only see real droids and robots, have your camera ready for some really cool pics!!
Discover how physics work together to see who can make the tallest tower with Stormgears!
Discover the uniqueness of robots using just toothbrushes with Stormgears!
How "cool" is science? Negative 321 degrees, that's how! Join Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream in the Expo Hall for some really cool science experiments, nitrogen and ice cream samples! Sub Zero now has locations in Worcester, Cambridge, and NH!
This workshop includes a presentation and multiple activities on how to stay safe in the digital world. Learn about the various forms of bullying, including cyberbullying. District Attorney Early’s Office will also provide tips on protecting yourself from ne scams and how to recognize artificial intelligence (AI).
Find out about the types of workshops the Worcester Art Museum can offer your Girl Scout troops! Come try out our pigments workshop. Museum staff will go over the steps for making your own pigments for watercolor paints. We will learn about the ratios and supplies needed to transform natural powders into colored pigments that we can then use to paint with! You will also get to take home a small palette of watercolors that you prepared yourself! And don't forget to visit us in the Expo Hall!
The Worcester Department of Public Health's Expo table will include public health related education on blood pressure and diabetes, ticks and mosquito displays, blood pressure screening equipment that you can practice with, other public related education, and more!
Get ready to start your own company! In this fast-paced and creative workshop with Worcester Polytechnic Institute, you’ll team up with others to create your very own business using mystery items from a surprise bag. Will you launch a robotics company to make midnight snacks, a mobile app that helps with homework, or something totally wild? You’ll name your business, design your product, and pitch your idea to the group. If you like inventing, imagining, and working with friends, this workshop is for you.
Visit Young Women in Bio Greater Boston with "Breathing: How do your lungs work?" during the Expo Hall.
Information coming soon
This event is designed for girls only. Girls gain great independence and social skills working in groups with girls only. *If your child needs special accommodations, please contact Tammy Breen at tbreen@gscwm.org.
Please see above. We are looking for a large crew of volunteers to help in various roles at the event (not stay with their troop/girl or participate). Volunteers for the event MUST be registered, CORI’d adults who understand they are not going to be with their daughter or girls. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please fill out our Volunteer Interest form at https://go.gscwm.org/GiG25Volunteer
GSCWM staff and registered, CORI’d volunteers, WPI staff and faculty, and 2 nursing supervisors and/or EMTs will be present for the event and will more than cover proper adult/girl ratios as set forth by GSUSA and GSCWM.
Try explaining what she can expect at the event. Talk about the fun, new things she will learn, and the new friends she will make. You can relate this event to being away from home during a day of school. If she is still not comfortable, then she may not be ready for this type of event-and that is okay! We have many other programs and events scheduled this year where you can stay and participate with your child.
You would be contacted on your phone/cell phone you listed on the permission slip given to us the day of the event during the event. Prior to the event you may be contacted by phone/cell phone or e-mail.
No. There are many reasons why we need to add on additional workshops within the first couple of weeks once registration opens. We cannot switch girls out of workshops once they have signed up.
Lunch will be provided in the WPI college dining hall! Additionally, snacks and drinks will be provided during the day.
The dining hall offers many food choices and is accustomed to providing choices to accommodate different food concerns. Your child will have many options available to her. We will not have refrigeration available to us but if you feel you need to send a lunch or her snacks, please provide her with something she will be able to carry in her backpack.
The dining hall has a “clean” kitchen where your daughter can choose from many options for lunch that should meet any severe food allergy requests. There will also be gluten-free, nut-free table options clearly marked and staff available to help guide in decisions. If your child needs to bring their own lunch and snacks, it will need to be something she can carry around with her in her backpack.
Yes, all girls will be required to bring an event permission slip with them and they will be collected at drop off. The event permission slip will be sent to you in your confirmation packet prior to the event and must be returned to council staff at drop off; do NOT send to council prior.
The workshops are intended to be groups of 15-20 girls unless otherwise noted.
Yes! Your child will be able to pick from a large variety of workshops when you register for the event. When you register on-line, you will be able to see immediately if workshops have openings and know what you are enrolled in. If registering by paper, registrations and workshops will be entered on a first-come basis. When registering by paper, you will not have the ability to see immediately what workshops are still available. For this reason, we ask that you register on-line. Due to many factors such as last minute cancellations, unforeseen circumstances, etc., girls do not receive confirmations of workshops until the day of the event when they will receive their schedules.
All our exciting workshops are being run by professionals in their fields! From college professors to zoo keepers to scientists, every workshop is being presented by those who do it best! Each workshop will have GSCWM staff members and/or volunteers to assist in the program as well and to meet girl/adult ratios.
The press attends this event yearly to help spread the word about girls doing great things in STEM. GSCWM also takes photos to use in our publications and social efforts. If you do not want your daughter photographed for these purposes, you need to note that on the registration under “other” and on her permission slip. A yellow sticker is placed on her name tag and every adult is aware she cannot be photographed. Have a conversation with your daughter so she is aware of what the sticker is for IF APPROPRIATE, and so that she can actively take part in meeting your concerns.
Everything from the lunch in the dining hall, t-shirt, drawstring backpack, a GiG patch, workshops, expo, demonstrations, hands-on activities, program supplies, and snack is included in this one-low price.
You will tell us! You will be prompted to provide your child’s size during the registration process. Girls will receive their t-shirts at the event. No exchanges can be made.
Yes, an exclusive GiG patch goes to all girls registered by the close date!
We have a limited amount of financial assistance available. Please fill out the event FA form available on our website and submit it to Tammy Breen at TBreen@gscwm.org.
We of course would LOVE for your daughter to be a Girl Scout but if she is not already one, that is okay! This is the PERFECT program for girls who have never been part of the Girl Scout experience to come and see what it’s all about! And of course, if she has a FUNtastic time-she can always become a Girl Scout later!
A uniform is not required but we always love to see girls showing their Girl Scout pride! It is up to the individual girl whether she wears her uniform or not. Keep in mind some of the workshops may be messy. And many girls chose to change into their GiG t-shirts anyway!
We hate to see your child miss out on any part of this day but we understand there are special circumstances. Please contact Tammy Breen at TBreen@gscwm.org and she will work with you to make sure your child can experience this day. There is not a price adjustment for being dropped off late or leaving early, you are paying for a full “spot”.
This is a girl-only event and we would love to have any girl in grade 4th-8th join us.
Absolutely! The more the merrier! If your child’s friend is a girl and also in grade 4th-8th, we’d love to have her join us for this event!
Absolutely! If she is in grades 9-12, she can volunteer for the event. Have her reach out directly to Tammy Breen at TBreen@gscwm.org letting her know her interested and grade.
Because all of OUR prices went up and we need to cover our costs. While we do our best to keep this event as cost-effective as possible, we also have to make sure we cover the cost of facilities, the police details we hire, the all-you-can-eat lunches for girls, providers, staff, and volunteers, backpacks, patches, t-shirts, snacks and drinks for all, program supplies, insurance, and the many other costs associated with this event.