7 Organizations Getting Girls Interested In Science
Science and technology shape lives around the world in meaningful ways. Unfortunately, there is still a significant gender gap in STEM careers. That's why organizations like the ones listed here inspire girls to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and tech designers. If you're interested in helping young women get a better education, consider lending them your support. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Groups Encouraging Girls To Pursue Science
| Name | Mission |
|---|---|
| Inspiring Girls Expeditions | Empower young women to lead and succeed through science, art, and wilderness exploration |
| Tech Girls Movement Foundation | Give girls access to hands-on technology and programs to build their skills and confidence |
| ScienceGrrl | Celebrate and support women in science |
| Technovation | Empower girls and families to become leaders, creators, and problem-solvers |
| Rwanda Girls Initiative | Educate and empower girls of Rwanda to reach their highest potential |
| Tech-Girls | Empower girls to imagine and achieve their future dreams in our tech-savvy world |
| Greenlight for Girls | Inspire girls of all ages and backgrounds to pursue STEM subjects by introducing them to the world of science in fun and exciting ways |
What Does STEM Stand For?
STEM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. Learning skills in these areas prepares students to solve problems, make sense of information, and enter the workforce in a number of important fields. Even if a child doesn't grow up to be a scientist, this education can help her better understand the world around her and adapt more quickly to new technologies.
7 Ways To Get Young Girls Interested in Science
- Look at common plants and objects under a microscope
- Sign them up for a science summer camp
- Take a trip to a natural history museum
- Watch educational movies and TV shows
- Go hiking with them and teach them about nature
- Play board games that encourage learning
- Explain the chemistry behind cooking and baking
Women In Science Who Changed The World
Toys & Games That Can Help Kids Learn
- Coding Robots
- Math Games
- Mechanical Puzzles
- Science Kits
- Telescopes
- Trivia Games
- Solar System Toys
- Talking Globes
Making Women In Science Visible
In Depth
Despite the many groundbreaking scientific contributions from women throughout history, a significant gender gap in the field persists to this day. Efforts have arisen around the world to help female STEM students gain confidence, build their skills, and pursue careers in research and technology. Presented here, in no particular order, are seven groups working to spark enthusiasm for science in young women everywhere.
Starting us off at #1 is Inspiring Girls Expeditions, an organization dedicated to empowering young women through artistic expression, science education, and outdoor exploration. They provide wilderness excursions like Alaskan glacier hikes, mountaineering trips in the American Rockies, and marine kayaking through coastal fjords. Participants learn survival skills, test their abilities in extreme natural settings, and practice scientific sampling techniques.
All of the trips undertaken by Inspiring Girls Expeditions involve hands-on field science and operate with the help of working researchers, often in conjunction with university laboratories. The journeys conclude with participants presenting their research, with reports that detail their methods and describe their findings. Those looking to support this organization can donate or assist as volunteers.
Those looking to support this organization can donate or assist as volunteers.
Next up at #2 is the Tech Girls Movement Foundation. Founded in 2014 on International Women's Day by Dr. Jenine Beekhuyzen, this initiative aims to promote confident and enthusiastic interest in STEM fields among female students in Australia. The organization's popular Tech Girls are Superheroes books offer examples of real women in science and engineering professions, presenting them as superheroes using their powers for good.
In addition to highlighting science role models for young women, the Tech Girls Movement offers numerous educational opportunities. Their Academy for Enterprising Girls provides workshops where female students build entrepreneurial skills, as well as online learning resources. The organization also hosts an annual competition, in which teams compete to develop technological solutions for real-world problems. Anyone interested can donate to support the Foundation's efforts.
Entry #3 is ScienceGrrl, a grassroots organization promoting female visibility and acceptance in research and technical fields. Individual members and local chapters across the United Kingdom participate in outreach efforts, where students can hear from working scientists and learn about female achievement in STEM. The group shares profiles of women working in engineering, research, and other demanding roles.
The group shares profiles of women working in engineering, research, and other demanding roles.
ScienceGrrl representatives appear at festivals, science fairs, and other events to discuss topics such as the work done by female researchers, or myths about gender and brain structure. The organization also produces inspirational works featuring women engaged in STEM projects, and educational materials like their Fighting the Neurotrash video. Supporters can make a donation or shop in the group's online store.
At #4 we have Technovation, a global nonprofit empowering girls and families to solve problems through creativity and technology. The program centers around annual competitions, in which teams of young women, or parents and children, collaborate on innovations to address real-world challenges. Volunteer mentors help guide and advise the teams. The group also organizes educational events in schools and local communities.
Technovation provides a curriculum designed to help contestants with every step of the competitive process, from identifying opportunities for problem-solving, to coding and design, to preparing their creations for presentation. The Technovation Families program focuses on learning to work with artificial intelligence, as well as offering numerous educational science activities. The organization's blog provides other resources for educators and enthusiasts. Interested individuals can offer support by donating.
The Technovation Families program focuses on learning to work with artificial intelligence, as well as offering numerous educational science activities.
Coming in at #5 is the Rwanda Girls Initiative, bringing educational access to female students in a region where they often face socioeconomic barriers. Their signature program is the Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology, which focuses on collaborative and student-driven learning, aiming to build creativity and core STEM skills. The Academy also helps improve food security, and fosters business acumen, through its on-campus farm.
Students at GGAST pursue concentrations in particular science and technology subjects, as well as participating in extracurricular clubs, and competitions like science fairs and debate societies. They also pursue agricultural and social entrepreneurship to strengthen their community. The RGI's work is highlighted in a film series about education produced by the Harbers Foundation. Those wishing to contribute can donate to fund the program.
#6 on our list is Tech-Girls, a group working to deliver hands-on educational programming to young women in the Charlottesville, Virginia region. Merged in 2015 with the Charlottesville Women in Tech professional organization, this initiative provides opportunities like monthly meetups where students visit local companies and learn from working engineers, and an annual summer learning series focused on the biomedical field.
Merged in 2015 with the Charlottesville Women in Tech professional organization, this initiative provides opportunities like monthly meetups where students visit local companies and learn from working engineers, and an annual summer learning series focused on the biomedical field.
Among the events Tech-Girls organizes to spark interest in STEM pursuits are the Girls' Geek Days, which bring skill-building activities to area schools, or their global challenge to inspire creative tech-focused activities. The group also spotlights local female professionals to offer role models for students. Those inspired by this organization's work can provide support as volunteers or donors.
We'll close with #7, Greenlight for Girls. Begun with a question from founder Melissa Rancourt about how to encourage female students to pursue science, this movement has grown to encompass events and programs around the world. Partnerships with tech corporations let young women visit company sites to receive STEM education and certification, while the g4g in the Classroom initiative brings hands-on science workshops into schools.
The flagship program from Greenlight for Girls is g4g Day, a series of learning events held across the world and led by volunteers from science and technology professions. Other efforts include community outreach initiatives and makerspaces where kids can experiment with creative tools. The organization also offers university scholarships to women from disadvantaged communities. Those wishing to help can volunteer, host an event, or make a financial contribution.
