Throwing snowballs from the bridge

Water in the West

_Girls in STEM______

Girls in STEM Water in the West

Returning Fall 2024!

Keystone Science School’s Girls in STEM: Water in the West focuses on addressing challenges experienced by women interested in pursuing STEM-specific education and careers. Participants will learn about water management in Colorado and the western United States as they come to a consensus around solutions to a water management problem.

Keystone Science School’s Girls in STEM: Water in the West focuses on why water related careers are so prevalent in the western United States. Throughout the weekend, participants will explore how water is a limited resource, participate in hands-on projects in our local community, and use a creative way to communicate what they learned about watersheds. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from women in a water-related career and learn about the barriers they have faced as women and how they overcome those challenges.

Rates & Amenities

This program is subsidized on a sliding fee scale for local families – see the chart below. This price includes lodging in our dorms, all meals, programming and use of supplies and technology.

Free & Reduced Lunch rate$45
CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus) rate$90
Fully Pay rate$325

Scholarships & Financial Assistance

If you have a financial barrier, please apply for a scholarship for the Girls in STEM program. All scholarships will be determined on a rolling basis and offered based on financial need.

Transportation

We offer free transportation to local students at Dillon Valley Elementary and Silverthorne Elementary!

  • KSS pickup students from school on Friday afternoon from Silverthorne Elementary and Dillon Valley Elementary at 4:00pm.
  • Parent Pickup at KSS on Sunday at 12pm or Silverthorne Elementary and Dillon Valley Elementary at 1:00pm.

Packing List

A student performs a water test in Girls in STEM

Program Schedule


Please note that this program schedule may change based on the availability of our STEM Mentors.

Mentor teaching on a whiteboard at Girls in STEM

Friday

Oct. 20
4:00pmCheck-in begins
4:00pmPick up at Dillon Valley Elementary & Silverthorne Elementary
5:00pmCheck-in ends
5:30pmProgram Kickoff
6:00pmDinner
7:00pmWatershed Activity
8:30pmHead back to dorms
9:30pmLights Out

Saturday

Oct. 21
8:00amBreakfast
9:00amOverview of the day
9:30amStream Survey projects
12:00pmLunch
1:00pmMentor Connection Activity
2:00pmGroup Games & Snack
3:00pmProject Work Time
5:00pmFlex Time
6:00pmDinner
7:00pmMovie night
8:30pmHead back to dorms
9:30pmLights out
A student raises her hand during Girls in STEM Water in the West

Sunday

Oct. 22
8:00amBreakfast
8:30amOverview of the day
9:00amProject work time
11:45pmArrive for checkout
12:00pmParent presentation – Science Communication
School Store open
1:00pmDropoff at Dillon Valley Elementary or Silverthorne Elementary

STEM Mentors


A variety of female professionals will be interacting with all participating girls throughout the weekend.

Kendra Fuller
Executive Director, Blue River Watershed Group

Kendra earned a degree in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly and soon after joined a field research and trail building crew in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Kendra learned just how heavily managed these remote and wild places actually are – this sparked her desire to share her passion for the environment with others. Following this spark, Kendra became a director and facilitator of outdoor environmental education. After a decade of teaching and directing programming regarding water management, she is beyond excited to become a steward of her local watershed.

Thank you to our Program Donors


We are so thankful for the corporate, foundational, and individual supporters of our Girls in STEM program. If you are interested in supporting this program please contact our Development Director, Owen Dodd at ododd@keystonescienceschool.org or call (970)513-5833.

Xcel Energy
US Bank
JP Innovation Project
The Steadman Clinic and Steadman Phillippon Research Institute
Aurora Water
Denver Water
Oxy Occidental

In the words of parents

“No phones. Dedicated time to focus on self. Reminders about gratitude. Getting in touch with nature. The counselors are strong, sweet, great role models.”

“My kid looks forward to this every year! It is so important for her to get out of her usual routine and meet new people and get a chance to be on her own.”

“We love KSS. The growth our kids have each summer is priceless. Thank you for all the hard work, planning and everything that goes into what you do!”

Check out more All-Girls programs at KSS!


Adventures is the next step in progression at KSS, and we have girls-only trips coming up next summer!

We also have more Girls in STEM programs coming up, including Snow Science this winter!

A girl looks up during an adventure rock climbing day at KSS summer camp.

All-Girls Climbing

Grades 6th-8th

A student and mentor inspect a snow stake in the Girls in STEM Snow & Avalanche weekend.

Girls in STEM Snow Science

February 9-11