2021 Virtual Camp

​We held our first ever VIRTUAL Girls With Nerve camp June 21-25, 2021. We gathered online for 3 hours a day to do hands-on activities in small groups, hear about the careers and research of several neuroscience faculty, and have fun!  The camp covered many topics, from sensory perception and movement control to memory and cognition. About 35 high school girls from all over the U.S. participated. Here's what they had to say:
  • I enjoyed how it was hands-on. The whole camp wasn't just lectures. We got to actually do stuff.
  • I really enjoyed that the activities were done in small groups and were discussion based. It felt more personal than just sitting in a big group and hearing someone listing off facts. 
  • Everyone was super helpful and the whole environment was comfortable.
  • I thought that the sheep brain dissection was very interesting and I learned a lot.
  • Most of the small group leaders were funny and fun to learn with. It was amazing how they gave their time to attend this camp with us.
  • They were all so nice! I felt safe to freely speak and ask questions.
Thank you to all the volunteers who made the virtual camp a great success!
A 16-year-old participant in the 2021 virtual camp talks about her experience.

Have fun and discover the brain!

· See and hear how the brain controls movement
· Trick your brain and discover how it learns
· Visit IU neuroscience labs and WonderLab
· Join a network of female grad students and faculty
· Totally free--lunch and snacks provided

Highlights from past years

Comments from the "girls with nerve" 

Their favorite parts of camp:
  • "Going to the labs and getting to see how things are first hand, instead of just hearing about it."
  • "Getting hands on experience with human brains and getting to tour some labs."
  • "Everybody was very welcoming and helpful."
  • "The new experiences and all of the people at camp. The Girls with Nerve camp felt like a very fun, accepting environment. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this camp!" 
Other things they had to say:
  • "It was very enjoyable and I think other girls will really like and appreciate the information and activities you will provide for them."
  • "Thank you so much for the experience and the new knowledge!! I had a great time and wished it was longer!"​

Questions?​

Contact us at gwn@indiana.edu 
Our camp is based on the Girls with Nerve program created by Dr. Kristine Snyder at the University of Michigan in 2013. The Indiana University version began in 2017, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Jasmine Mirdamadi, who volunteered at the Michigan camp when she was an undergraduate there! 
Girls with Nerve IU is sponsored by Indiana University Bloomington's School of Public Health, the Women's Philanthropy Leadership Council, and the National Science Foundation.