HOW IT ALL STARTED

THE FOUNDERS

THE FOUNDERS

THE FOUNDERS

THE FOUNDERS • THE FOUNDERS • THE FOUNDERS •

The journey of Girls Empowered by Math and Science (GEMS) at the University of Florida began with a powerful story. Originally founded at Ponte Vedra High School by the Davidson sisters, GEMS was brought to UF in 2022 by Delaney Davidson and Emma Tamayo. Starting with just 30 local girls at PK Yonge in Gainesville, GEMS was driven by a passion to inspire young minds in STEM. Since then, the organization has flourished, expanding to two local schools and five schools nationwide, reaching over 150 elementary-aged girls with the support of more than 200 dedicated student volunteers. This journey to a nationwide program exemplifies our commitment and the growing impact of GEMS.


  • Founder and President

    In 2017, I founded Girls Empowered by Math and Science (GEMS) with my two sisters at Ponte Vedra High School to empower young girls in STEM. When I brought GEMS to the University of Florida, it grew from a small club into a nonprofit reaching girls across multiple states. Leading this journey has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life, deepening my commitment to inspiring future generations in STEM.


  • Founder and Vice President

    One of my most impactful memories from GEMS was presenting to the College of Education at the University of Florida. Standing before educators and administrators, I shared GEMS' mission to inspire young girls in STEM and our progress from a high school club to a thriving nonprofit. It was incredibly fulfilling to see the excitement and support from a community dedicated to shaping young minds. This moment underscored the importance of GEMS and deepened my commitment to its growth, as I realized how much potential our program has to impact education on a larger scale.

 Contact us.

  • gemsatuf@gmail.com

  • @gems_uf