For a week in July, the third annual GALS (Girls on Outdoor Adventure for Leadership and Science) trip was in full swing at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center (BRDC) and Grayson Highlands State Park. GALS is a free opportunity for high school aged students to experience the backcountry wilderness (often for the first time!) while learning ecology lessons and field work techniques. This program is run by IGC fellows, the VT College of Science, and 4-H.

Three high school students were given the opportunity to learn about various career paths in STEM, develop a project and collect data while backpacking, and present a poster about what they learned. This year’s GALS focused on topics such as Appalachian mushroom and forest ecology, freshwater biomonitoring, and drinking water quality. Students were fearless during the challenges they faced on their adventures. 

The GALS were grateful to have the use of the BRDC for part of the trip. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this educational facility serves as a naturalist hub, and provided GALS with facilities, lodging, and a library. When the GALS were not trekking through the backcountry, the BRDC also provided access to streams and nature trails. 

GALs learning about stream macroinvertebrates
GALs learning about stream macroinvertebrates near the Blue Ridge Discovery Center.

Students were fearless during the challenges they faced on their adventures. From storms, to humidity, to night time by the fire, they experienced nature firsthand. 

students roasting marshmallows by a campfire
Students preparing smores around a campfire that would hold many discussions throughout the evening.
students in rain ponchos
GALS are not afraid of a little rain! Students posing after spending the night near Mount Rodgers during a storm.

The GALS program is more than just a science camp. It combines rigorous scientific lessons with outdoor skills, environmental investigation, and experimentation. Their time culminated in presentations about their findings. Among their audience were their parents, siblings and leaders.

Students presenting posters
Students presenting posters on stream macroinvertebrates and mushroom ecology.

The GALS program at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center and Grayson Highlands State Park offered an incredible opportunity for high school students to connect with nature, learn about various career paths in STEM, and develop lifelong skills. These young scientists can build from what they've learned this summer and continue to grow and contribute to the world of science and beyond.

This year, GALS was led by IGC fellows Megan Harris from Civil and Environmental Engineering, Maria Popescu, Ellie Timmins, Megan Gaesser and Meredith Snyder from Biological Sciences and Lisa Tabor from Entomology. The GALS program will continue into the summer of 2026 and hopefully, beyond.

If you have ideas for student recruitment, events the GALS team can attend, are interested in joining the GALS team or learning more about this program, please reach out to galssouthwestva@gmail.com and visit the GALS website for more information https://galssouthwestva.weebly.com