Why We Give: MilliporeSigma

When Elizabeth Clemins and Chelsea Krogman started their careers at life science company MilliporeSigma, there were few other women working alongside them. Today, as MilliporeSigma deepens its partnership with Girl Scouts to provide hands-on STEM experiences, local employees like Elizabeth and Chelsea are helping support the next generation of women in their field.

“When I first started at MilliporeSigma, I was the only female on the shift,” Chelsea recalls. “One of the things I love is to see the Girl Scouts get excited about STEM and to motivate them to continue on in that field so one day they can look around and see other females standing next to them.”

Elizabeth and Chelsea are co-leads of MilliporeSigma’s SPARK Program and Curiosity Labs in Milwaukee. The company’s science education outreach program brings engaging STEM activities to Girl Scouts to foster girls’ passion for science.

Volunteer scientists from MilliporeSigma visit Girl Scout troops and volunteer at council events to run hands-on Curiosity Labs programs. The lab activities align with a troop’s unique interests, their progress toward badges, or their work toward highest awards.

During workshops, Girl Scouts have built their own water filtration systems, learned how to be fragrance chemists, and investigated the chemical reaction that causes a glow stick to glow.

MilliporeSigma recently announced an additional $25,000 grant to expand its support of STEM programming for GSWISE, including more opportunities for the company’s Milwaukee-area employees to volunteer with Girl Scouts.

“I started in our production labs 24 years ago and it was very male-dominated, but one of those things that always stuck with me was all those women that came before me,” Liz says. “We’re always trying to find a way to help advance our young girls and make sure they know that those opportunities are out there.”

Support from community partners like MilliporeSigma helps cultivate an early passion for STEM leadership. As Girl Scouts learn through real-life science experiments and interact with professionals in the field, they build the confidence and skills to become the next STEM innovators.

girl scout cadette and girl scout volunteer working on stem project

girl scout volunteer directing troop on outdoor stem activity

girl scout volunteer and two girl scouts in lab goggles and white coats working on stem project

two girl scouts holding girl scout sign and laughing

With your support, they shine!

With your help, there is no limit to what Girl Scouts create and discover.

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