General
Who is CAGIS for? CAGIS is for girls and gender diverse youth, ages 7 to 17 who live in Canada.
Does CAGIS offer both in-person and virtual programming? Yes! Our Local Clubs (aka Chapters) organize monthly, in-person STEM events in a particular city. We have Chapter locations across Canada, so join the one nearest you. Our Virtual program runs weekly, online STEM sessions that you can participate in from home.
How do I join CAGIS? Simply choose what type of membership you want (Chapter, Virtual, or Combined) and purchase it through our website.
If I join CAGIS, what kind of activities can I expect? CAGIS plans a diversity of activities that focus on all areas of STEM including science, technology, trades, engineering, and mathematics. Event topics have included Veterinary Science, Robotics, Firefighting, Coding, the Science of Ice Cream, and many more! No matter what the topic, all of our in-person and virtual events include a hands-on activity and the opportunity to meet a real expert.
How long does my membership last? All memberships last for twelve months from the date of purchase.
Does it matter what time of year I purchase a membership? No. You can purchase your membership at any time of year. We pause programming over the summer, but no matter what time of year you join, you will receive a full year’s worth of events (8-10 Chapter events or 24-26 CAGIS Virtual events).
I bought my membership in the summer, but have not received any event notices yet. Why is that? CAGIS pauses its programming during July and August. But don’t worry! Your membership is valid for twelve months from the date of purchase, so no matter when you sign up, you will receive the full value of your membership.
Accounts and Billing
How do I create an account? All members have an account automatically created for them when they join. Our website will send you an automated email with the login information.
I lost my password. What should I do? You can reset your password by going to the Login page and clicking on “Lost my Password”. You will receive an email with a link to reset your password. If you are not sure which email is associated with your account, or if you have any difficulty with the password reset process, email Info@GirlsInScience.ca.
Do I need to be logged in when I register my child for events? Members should log in so that the system can identify you and give you access to the correct events and pricing. Non-members can register for CAGIS Virtual sessions without signing in, but there is a fee per event.
How do I know when my membership is due? You will receive email notifications leading up to your membership’s expiry date. Your membership will not be renewed automatically.
Can I renew my child’s membership early? Yes, renewing early will extend the membership expiry date by one full year. If you renew early to take advantage of a limited-time discount, you will still get the full value of your current membership.
Can I pay for my membership in cash? No. CAGIS does not accept cash payments.
Can I pay in installments? Yes! When you check out, you will have the option to pay all at once, in two equal parts, or in four equal parts (spread out throughout the year). Memberships are final purchase and cannot be cancelled or paused during the installment period. All installments must be paid in full.
Do you offer financial assistance? If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to afford a CAGIS membership, please fill out this form to request waived membership fees.
CAGIS Chapters
When does my chapter meet? Chapters hold 8-10 events per year. They are usually held monthly between September and June and take place on weeknights or weekends. Because these events are often at real STEM workplaces, the timing is variable and depends on the availability of our guest experts.
Where will my chapter meet? Events often occur at the workplaces of our STEM experts, giving members a behind-the-scenes view of a variety of STEM field environments. Sometimes, when a location is not conducive to large groups, we will book a room in a local library or community center.
Do you have COVID-19 policies? Yes. Please see our COVID-19 policies.
I want to join a chapter, but there isn’t one in my area. Please fill out our Request a Chapter form.
CAGIS Virtual
When do CAGIS Virtual sessions take place? CAGIS Virtual events take place weekly on Saturdays. There are 2 sessions each Saturday: 11 am ET is for ages 7 – 12 and 1 pm ET is for ages 11 – 16.
Will you send me the supplies I need for an event? CAGIS families are responsible for sourcing the supplies. Most events use ordinary and inexpensive supplies found around the house or at a grocery store. We also try to help figure out substitutions if you don’t have the exact materials on hand. Occasionally, if specialized supplies are needed, we may be able to ship those to you. Check the event descriptions on our CAGIS Virtual to find out what you need for each session.
Will there be recordings provided of the live events? No. For the safety and privacy of our members, we will not provide recordings.
Is there an option to participate in individual events? If a child would like to participate but does not want to become a member, the cost to join an individual session is $16.
Do I have to register for each event? Yes. Members must register for each event so we can ensure we have enough volunteers and are properly prepared.
How will I know which events are coming up? You can check the schedule and register for events here. Every Monday, we will also send you a reminder of our upcoming Saturday event with a link to register.
Volunteer and Support
Does CAGIS accept donations? Yes. CAGIS is a not-for-profit organization and relies on donations. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our donation form. CAGIS does not accept cash donations. If you would like to get in touch about making an in kind donation or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at Info@GirlsInScience.ca.
I’m interested in volunteering. How can I help? Our volunteers are a diverse group of STEM experts, parents, and post-secondary students! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with a local CAGIS Chapter, please visit this page. If you would like to be a guest expert at a CAGIS Virtual event, host an in-person event, or are available to be consulted for newsletter articles or panel discussions, please visit this page.
Can I start a new CAGIS chapter? Check our map to see if there is already an active CAGIS chapter near you. If not, let us know that you would like to get a new chapter started by filling in the form here.
