2026 Cohort

Nia
​Amina
Ann Arbor/Detroit, MI
12th grade
​ Renaissance High School

Research project: “Human Waste” This project explored how macroinvertebrate diversity changed with the intensity of human land-use. 
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Fun fact: Nia is my name and its origin means purpose. I try to embrace my characteristics by cherishing the beauty of self-discovery, personal development, and artistry. 

Favorite thing about science: Science is interconnected to all disciplines, that is why I love it so much. I have co-started my own company, ran national level track times, and even won public advocacy grants. At first, I did not see the science in me until I experienced the familiar culture of GALS. 

Favorite memory of the trip: GALS is a trip I will never forget, or be able to slide under the rug. So, in short, there were many great memories. However, my #1 has to be team charades, collaborating, and building endless bonds. 

What I learned during GALS: I learned a few things about balance during my experience with GALS. Through creating fires, hiking for the first time, and challenging myself mentally and physically. I have stretched my limits by engineering my capabilities. 

Margaret (Maggie) McGowen
Clarkston, MI
12th grade
Clarkston High School

Research project: “Getting to the Roots”. This project assessed how root length varied based on soil type.
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Fun fact: I have been a dancer since I was two years old. I love to dance en pointe and my favorite style of dance is ballet!

Favorite thing about science: My favorite thing about science is being able to connect my ideas and questions with what I’m learning. I more so love that science can advance us as a society and help people live healthier lives. 

Favorite memory of the trip: I absolutely loved towards the end of the trip when everyone was super close as friends and we all took pictures of each other on Lake Michigan at sunset. 

What I learned during GALS: GALS has taught me that science is not an exclusive subject and can have niches for every topic you could ever be interested in. Backpacking with GALS also taught me the importance of resilience because backpacking was something I wasn’t familiar with. However, through the leaders’ support and the close friends I made, I found that I really enjoy it. 

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Amber
​Bryant
Watervliet, MI
10th grade
Watervliet High School

Research project: “Geronimo! A research Project on Flow Velocity” This project explored how river depth and width affected the speed at which rivers flowed.

​Fun fact: I started taking college-level courses at Berrien RESA’s Math and Science Center starting freshman year. 

Favorite thing about science: It explains how things work. 

Favorite memory of the trip: Playing Fishbowl, STICK!, getting to meet women scientists who have done amazing things. 

What I learned during GALS: There were a lot of things I learned during GALS, but the one I feel will have a huge impact on me is knowing that women scientists have struggled in the scientific community, but have worked hard to get to the successful place they are now overcoming these challenges.

Lillian
​Johnson
Caro, MI
12th grade
Caro High School

Research project: “B. L. T (tree)”. This project investigated how low-level tree branches are affected by hillslope.
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Fun fact: I became captain of my soccer team after getting all-conference for goal keep. 

Favorite thing about science: Collecting and analyzing data on forestry and genetics. I enjoy taking DBH measurements, doing Punnentt squares, and translating nucleic acids to their corresponding proteins. 

Favorite memory of the trip: Learning new card games such as knock, garbage, and go fish. 

What I learned during GALS: I learned how to cook in the wilderness, new knots (slip knot, figure 8, tension knot) and how to hang bear bags.

Arionna
Schuitema
Free Soil, MI
11th grade
​ Homeschooled

Research project: “This Title Will Suck Your Blood. You’ll Look Leeched (leached)”. This project characterized the number of macroinvertebrates found between two waterways that differed in their level of human impact.
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Fun fact: I live on a homestead with 20+ chickens, 6 goats, 1 bunny, and 1 dog. 

Favorite thing about science: Macroinvertebrate research. 

Favorite memory of the trip: Chloe Jones “Dirty Diana”ing our trip leaders. And me and Amber inside out joke, STICK!

What I learned during GALS: Making friends is a little hard until you try. Also, you find friends in weird places. 

Ellie
Zeien
Edmore, MI
12th grade
Montabella High School

Research project: “Plants vs. Zombies: A Battle For Saplings” This project assessed the relationship between number of dead trees and the total number of saplings found in an area.
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Fun fact: I’m scuba certified. 

Favorite thing about science: Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Health and Wellness. 

Favorite memory of the trip: All the funny moments with fellow campmates. 

What I learned during GALS: Science may not exactly be for me but I found I like backpacking and camping. Science is a broad subject and I may find a place for me just not at the moment. 

Kaylee
​Schopp
Onaway, MI
12th grade
 Onaway High School

Research project: “Lichen the Sun”. This project examined whether lichen is more likely to grow in sunny versus shaded regions of a tree.
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Fun fact: I love to be in the trees like Moana loves to be in the water. 

Favorite thing about science: My favorite thing about science is seeing how it all works together. I love to see how the different branches of science can work together. I also love ecology, in general knowing life is about many things working together, not just one by itself. 

Favorite memory of the trip: My favorite memory is the time we spent on the trails getting to know everyone and laughing as we backpack the long days. 

What I learned during GALS: I learned so much, especially patience, but I’d have to say my favorite was learning all the values of soil and the many ways to test its health.

Chloe
​Jones
Portage, MI
12th grade
 Portage Northern High School

Research project: “This Project Will You Soil Your pHants”. This project set out to test whether plants affect the pH of the soil they grow in.
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Fun fact: I’ve run a small jewelry business since 8th grade and I donate part of my profit to charity. 

Favorite thing about science: Applying natural science to human health and wellness. 

Favorite memory of the trip: Talking to my peers during long van rides. 

What I learned during GALS: I learned to step out of my comfort zone from being around unfamiliar insects, grit from long hiking days, and hospitality from assisting my peers.

Atayla
​Ray
Lansing, MI
10th grade
 Eastern High School

Research project: “Frog & Toad”. This project tested whether percent algal cover affected the overall diversity of frog and toad species found in an area.
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Fun fact: I enjoy writing, horseback riding, and training my dog. 

Favorite thing about science: Being able to learn so many things. Science is not just one thing, it can really be anything. 

Favorite memory of the trip: My favorite memory from the trip is anytime the entire group gathered together and had a fun time.

What I learned during GALS: To be patient with people during situations, because not everyone handles things in the same way that I do.

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Lauren
Gormas
Lansing, MI
11th grade
Okemos High School

Research project: “Mosey on Down”. This project assessed whether tree thickness changes the further trees are from a water source.
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Fun fact: I enjoy hunting year-round. 

Favorite thing about science: I love how applicable science is to everyday life and questions. I can look at most things in a room and ask myself, “How was that made? How did it happen?”

Favorite memory of the trip: My favorite memories involved team-building and games. It gave the opportunity to better know my GALS cohort.

What I learned during GALS:  I learned how to backpack, make a transect, and carry out experiments with limited materials. I feel like I’ve become more capable of a person because of it.

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2025 Cohort

Alexis
​(she/they)

Alexis’s research project was “Streamline streams: measuring stream velocity and width”. Her favorite part of GALS was realizing their resilience when hanging up bear bags while being eaten alive by mosquitoes. Along the trail, Alexis discovered that one of her greatest strengths is flexibility, something that they will continue to use in the front country. In her personal life, Alexis enjoys studying biology and aircrafts, as well as rock climbing, reading classics, biking, walking, and breathing. ​

Beatrix
(she/her)

Beatrix’s research project was “How soil composition and sand content change as they approach Mena Creek on a southeast transect”. Her favorite part of GALS was making fast friends with the other gals. A lesson learned along the trail that Beatrix will bring into her front country life is that she can do harder things than she thinks. In her personal life, Beatrix enjoys studying astrophysics, paleontology, and environmental science, as well as playing the cello and jazz bass, biking, and reading.

MaKenna
​(she/her)

MaKenna’s research project was “Do you like your fish tangy?: Studying fish populations based on pH levels in streams”. Her favorite part of GALS was picking blueberries along the North Country Trail in the Upper Peninsula. Along the trail, MaKenna persevered and pushed through mental and physical discomforts empowering her to take on struggles in her front country life. In her personal life, MaKenna enjoys studying wildlife biology, zoology, as well as traveling, music, helping with Special Olympics, and spending time with her animals.

Penny
​(she/her)

Penny’s research project was “Got Shrooms?: Do mushrooms prefer to grow in specific soil types?”. Her favorite part of GALS was exploring bogs and observing the flowers of pitcher plants. Along the trail Penny, grew her mental and physical strength and will bring that strength to tackle obstacles in the front country. In her personal life, Penny enjoys studying agriculture, dairy science, and environmental science as well as running, pottery, archery, and gardening.

Zoe
​(he/they)

Zoe’s research project was “Shady Shrooms: Mushroom growth preference along the North Country Trail”. His favorite part of GALS was reaching and hiking along the bluffs of Lake Superior. A lesson learned along the trail that Zoe will bring into their front country life is appreciating daily comforts like a soft bed and real bathroom. In their personal life, Zoe enjoys studying zoology, crocheting, drawing, rollerblading, anime, and reading horror novels.