Many geek women and other geeks want to volunteer to reach out to girls and young women and help them build community, skills and careers in geekdom.
Contents
How to do effective outreach
Research
This covers some of the barriers facing girls who might enter STEM careers.
- Changing the Conversation from National Academy of Engineering
- Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by the American Association of University Women (AAUW)
- Girls in STEM infographic by EngineeringDegree.net
Training
- Maximizing the Message Training from the Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Finding volunteers
Curricula, handouts and similar
This is a list of curricula for courses, handouts and similar, that are free to use for your own outreach:
- Activities for the Classroom | NASA's The Space Place
- A list from the Society of Women Engineer's Aspire Website - Girl's Section
- A list by Grade Level from the Society of Women Engineer's Aspire Website - Educator's Section
- List of workbooks, handouts, guides, etc from National Center for Women & Information Technology
Organizations you could join
These organizations are more formal groups of geeks wanting to reach out to girls or young women.
Math & Science
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The Summer Mathematics Camp for High School Girls provides a stimulating and supportive environment for girls to develop their mathematical ability and interest. |
US: Held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln | |
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Supports and encourages Northern Nevada middle school girls from varied backgrounds to increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence in mathematics, as well as technology use for mathematics learning. |
US: Northern Nevada | |
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Summer program that focuses on enabling participants to build self-belief and mathematical confidence, on encouraging and nurturing excellence in mathematics and sciences, and on providing exposure to expert mathematical training and accomplished professional women who may serve as role models and mentors for the students. |
US: Held at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | |
| Girls Excel in Math (GEM) | Aims to establish and support a community of fourth through seventh grade Twin City girls who are interested in math. | US: Twin Cities, MN |
| Girls, Inc. | Focuses on math and science education, pregnancy and drug abuse prevention, media literacy, economic literacy, adolescent health, violence prevention, and sports participation. | US & Canada |
| Science Club for Girls | Their mission is to increase the self-confidence and literacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) of K-12th grade girls belonging to groups that are underrepresented in these fields, through free programs that include hands-on learning, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. | US: Cambridge, MA |
| Braincake | Working with girls age 11 - 17 and their parents, teachers, and mentors, we draw organizations, stakeholders, and communities together in an effort to ensure that girls succeed in math and science. | US: Pittsburgh, PA, Arizona |
Robotics
| Robogals | For university-aged women, teaches high school girls robotics skills |
AU: various cities Chapters in Korea, Japan, UK, US |
| WizBots | Math and science program utilizing LEGO robotics | US: San Carlos, CA |
| Girls Of Steel Robotics | All-girl FIRST robotics competition team | US: Pittsburgh, PA |
| GENIUS: Girls Exploring New Ideas Using Science | Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta FTC robotics team and the first all-girls team to win the Georgia State FLL Championship. | US: Atlanta, GA |
| StormBots | All-girl FIRST robotics competition team | US: Seattle, WA |
Programming & Technology
| Black Girls Code | Provides young and pre-teen girls of color opportunities to learn in-demand skills in technology and computer programming at a time when they are naturally thinking about what they want to be when they grow up. |
US: holds programs in various cities |
| Girls Who Code | US: CA, NY, Detroit, expanding | |
| Techgirlz | Hosts and promotes a variety of events for young women in tech. Holds courses aimed at women changing careers, etc | US: Philadelphia, PA |
| Girl Develop IT
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Provides affordable and accessible programs to women who want to learn software development through mentorship and hands-on instruction. |
US: Various cities CA: Ottawa AU: Sydney |
| BE WISE | Holds Science Overnights at local tech companies for girls | US: San Diego, CA |
| Techbridge
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Inspires girls to discover a passion for technology, science and engineering through hands-on learning | US: Oakland, CA |
| CodeEd
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Introduces middle school-aged girls to web programming | US: San Francisco, New York City, Boston |
| CoderDojo
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Provides free and open learning to young people, especially in programming technology | International |
General STEM & STEM careers
| Expanding Your Horizons Network | A group of conferences for girls aged 12 to 14, about STEM and STEM careers | US-based, some conferences in Europe and Asia |
| Eureka
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Math and science program for teenage girls | US: Alameda, CA |
Advocacy & Professional Organizations
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Focused on K-12 and collegiate outreach as well as supporting professionals. |
US-based international group | |
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We unite women through our nationwide network of chapters and partnerships with aligned professional organizations. |
US | |
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Encourages women and girls to study and to have active careers in the mathematical sciences, and to promote equal opportunity and the equal treatment of women and girls in the mathematical sciences. |
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| NCWIT
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A non-profit community of more than 450 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government agencies, and non-profits working to increase women's participation in technology and computing. |
Girl organizations you could partner with
One of the challenges with holding an outreach event for K-12 students is making sure girls and their parents know about the event. The following organizations can help you boost turnout and possibly provide meeting space.
- Girl Scouts and Girl Guides International Group with a number of country based organizations
- Girls, Inc US based
Resources for Girls
Websites where girls can learn about Engineering
- Learn about a woman in your area working in STEM (role model) through Fab Fems.
- Engineer Your Life
