Girlstart

Girlstart’s mission is to increase girls’ interest and engagement in STEM through innovative, nationally-recognized informal STEM education programs. By empowering more girls to continue STEM studies, we can help address our nation’s STEM workforce inequities and impact innovation and economic development in America and across the globe. To accomplish its mission, Girlstart develops and implements a range of innovative, research- and standards-based education and mentorship programs designed to promote girls’ early engagement and academic success in STEM, encourage girls' aspirations and persistence in STEM education and careers, and incubate a talented and diverse STEM workforce. Founded in Austin, Texas, Girlstart is the largest and longest-running community-based informal STEM education nonprofit in the nation specifically dedicated to empowering and equipping girls in STEM through year-round STEM educational programming. Since 1997, Girlstart has served over 60,000 girls and 10,000 teachers and families with school-based programs, professional development for teachers, summer camps, STEM career conferences and expos, large-scale science events for families, and community STEM education outreach programs. Girlstart programs are open to girls K-12. We are focused on serving girls of diverse ethnicities, girls who live in low-income or nonurban environments, and/or are considered at-risk. In 2015, we served more than 23,000 girls, teachers, and family members, 97% of whom participated at no cost. Our goals are to: • Increase girls’ competency in conducting scientific investigations and critical thinking/reasoning; • Increase girls’ facility and mastery in STEM skills; • Increase girls’ confidence and interest in conducting STEM activities; and • Increase girls’ awareness of STEM careers and interest in pursuing STEM electives, subjects, majors, and careers.