Afterschool Programs

LAB GIRLS+

The LAB GIRLS talk trees with UNH Extension Forester Karen Bennett. (photo © Ben Conant)

LAB GIRLS+ is a Harris Center afterschool club designed to help middle school girls stay in love with science.

This club brings women mentors with careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) into the classroom to share their stories and their science. Each week, the LAB GIRLS meet a different role model and then have a chance to experiment with the tools of her trade. High school students with an interest in science help the middle school girls navigate the hands-on experiments.

Whether they’re designing weight-bearing furniture with architectural engineer Karen Fabianski or exploring chemistry and energy with biochemist Dr. Moira Milne, the LAB GIRLS are stretching their minds, cultivating their curiosity, and perhaps even beginning to envision a future for themselves in STEM…

If you’d like to be added to our LAB GIRLS email list, please contact Susie Spikol by email.

Students in the Harris Center’s afterschool “Yeti Club” practice fire building with naturalist John Benjamin. (photo © Ben Conant)

Other Afterschool Programs

We also partner with schools, parent-teacher organizations (PTOs), recreation departments, housing authorities, and public libraries on nature-focused afterschool programs for preschool, elementary, and middle school students.

Past topics have included winter birding, snowshoeing, map and compass skills, nature play, wilderness survival skills, storytelling, fairy and gnome homes, and even a performance of Dr. Seuss’s celebrated environmental fable, The Lorax.