7 4 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9
And volunteers from all walks of
life are welcomed to help whenever
they can.
"We don't just need volunteers
from STEM fields," West said.
"Educators, high school or college
students, journalists, social media
savvy folks – there's a spot for them,
too. Even grandmothers who want
to help with the food! Anybody
with resources they'd like to share,
we won't turn you down."
Although Real I.M.P.A.C.T.'s
programs end after eighth grade,
they've developed partnerships
with local schools, such as Fort
Valley State University, so students
can continue to be supported
academically. Girls involved with
Real I.M.P.A.C.T. are also given
pre- and post-tests, to see what
they know about STEM initially
and how much their knowledge has
grown.
In the future, West said she
would love to build a strong enough
foundation to be able to reach out
and offer STEM-related mentoring
to surrounding rural areas.
"In those small towns, we have
amazing athletes, and we rally
around them and cheer them on, but
those young kids with engineering
ability need cheerleaders, too, and
it's not as easy as just handing them
"In those small towns,
we have amazing
athletes, and we rally
around them and
cheer them on, but
those young kids with
engineering ability
need cheerleaders, too,
and it's not as easy as
just handing them a
ball." -GENEVA WEST
