Girlstart

Our Back to After School campaign is winding down, but there’s still time left to make a donation to Girlstart and help us empower more girls through STEM!??? Programs like After School are making an incredible impact on our Girlstart girls, and parents regularly share with us how the program has been a positive experience for their daughters. Click here to give now!?https://bit.ly/BTAS2024

Get ready to celebrate at Girlstart’s inaugural DeSTEMber Bash! ?? Join us as we kick off 31 days of STEM and wrap up the year with an unforgettable evening. Attendees will get an exclusive sneak peek at exciting DeSTEMber activities, including 3D printing demonstrations by TyRex, an exploration of Arctic Geese migration, designing a snowball launcher, and so much more! The DJ (a father/daughter duo!) will be spinning the latest tracks to keep the energy high as you enjoy hot chocolate, cookie decorating, winter slime-making, and capturing memorable moments at our Girlstart-themed photo booth. ?? This event welcomes everyone, regardless of age or gender! But that’s not all! DeSTEMber Bash will feature DeSTEMber in a Box, limited-edition t-shirts, and our popular Mystery Boxes! Expect everything you love about Girlstart community events, along with unique add-ons that will make the event truly special. Join us for an evening filled with excitement and discovery—let’s make DeSTEMber Bash the highlight of the year! ?? Visit our website at bit.ly/DeSTEMberBash to learn more and purchase tickets, and stay tuned for more details!

Remember when we got to meet Lando Norris last year and participate in the #SponsorX initiative with Smartsheet and McLaren Racing? ?? As we count down to the 2024 US Grand Prix this weekend in Austin, we’re reminiscing on this amazing experience (that was somehow already a year ago!) and counting our lucky stars that our Girlstart girls got to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience! ?? We’re thankful to all the folks who made this happen, including the teams at Smartsheet and McLaren, as well as Emily Calandrelli (i.e. The Space Gal) for sharing about her inspirational career and hanging out with our participants! ?? From showing Lando how to code an Ozobot to race along a mini Circuit of The Americas track to getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the McLaren paddocks and watching Lando take home a P2 win, we will always be grateful for these unforgettable experiences and for the chance to teach young girls about exciting STEM careers in motorsports!

On this Indigenous Peoples' Day, we honor the cultures and resilience of Indigenous peoples and particularly, Indigenous women in STEM, whose innovations and leadership are driving progress and inspiring change. Their contributions have not only advanced scientific understanding but also highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives in solving today's complex challenges. From pioneering research to championing sustainable practices and sharing ancestral knowledge, these women are reshaping the STEM landscape and empowering future generations. ? We encourage you to take some time today to learn about the cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples across the Americas. Here are some ideas: ?? Look up whose ancestral lands you're on (visit native-land.ca) and take some time to learn about your local tribe’s culture. ?? Check out the book “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People” by historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. ?? Visit a museum that shares about Indigenous history and culture ?? Research STEM advances made by Indigenous people, like Dr. Jessica Hernandez, an Indigenous author, researcher, and climate justice advocate. ?? Share what you learn with your friends, family, and coworkers! #AmplifyIndigenousVoices

Happy International Day of the Girl! ?????????????? Observed annually on October 11th, #DayOfTheGirl is a key global moment that celebrates girls everywhere, amplifying their voices, actions, and leadership. This year’s theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’, which conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future. It’s time to listen to girls and to invest in proven solutions that will accelerate progress towards a future in which every girl can fulfill her potential! Not only that, but today is also #GiveToWomenAndGirls Day! Since 2019, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute has measured giving to women and girls through its Women & Girls Index (WGI). While nearly 50,000 U.S. organizations are dedicated to women and girls, the WGI consistently shows that less than 2% of all philanthropic support goes to these organizations. To respond to this lack of funding, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute launched Give to Women and Girls Day, a national awareness campaign to increase funding for women's and girls’ organizations. It’s up to all of us to change these numbers and truly invest in women and girls. At Girlstart, we envision a future where all who identify as girls believe they can change their world through STEM. Join us today and every day as we work toward a future where all people are not only invited into but celebrated in STEM fields and beyond! ?

Girlstart is proud to participate in Houston Energy Day on October 19th at Sam Houston Park! ? Join us from 11am to 3pm and be part of our movement to empower young women in STEM! Stop by our booth for hands-on activities that show kids how exciting science, technology, engineering, and math can be. Visit energydayfestival.org to learn more! We look forward to seeing you next week for a day of inspiration and learning! ??

Join us on October 17th for a virtual summit hosted by CHILDREN AT RISK and learn how to reimagine STEM career pathways for kids! ?? You’ll have the opportunity to hear from STEM industry leaders, educators, and nonprofit innovators (including our very own Executive Director Shane Woods!) about how to develop a qualified STEM-focused pipeline of professionals. ?? Register now at https://ow.ly/f30050TH9G7 and be prepared to leave with a better understanding of the actions you can take to ensure the future of STEM!

Join us this October in celebrating #GirlsLeadSTEM Month! At Girlstart, we’re working to change the face of STEM by elevating the voices and stories of girls and women working to make the world a better place. This month and beyond, we join our fellow girl-serving and STEM organizations to stand up for gender and racial equity in STEM and inspire the next generation of trailblazers! ?????????????????? Launched in June 2022, #GirlsLeadSTEM is a national awareness campaign to elevate the diverse voices of young women and girls in STEM, especially those who have been historically marginalized. Through a collective voice, #GirlsLeadSTEM celebrates the girls who lead their STEM journeys, and raises their voices to inspire and share their perspectives on what’s needed to close the gaps in STEM. Share your story and raise your voice this month using the #GirlsLeadSTEM hashtag! Join the conversation and help us foster a community of #GirlsInSTEM who know their potential to change the world! ??

Thank you to everyone who voted for Girlstart at the Texas Conference for Women yesterday! ?? We were thrilled to share a table with NI (National Instruments) and to share our mission with amazing women across the state and country!

It’s almost time for October Starry Night! ?? Join us at the Girlstart STEM Center this Thursday from 5:30 to 7pm and learn about our amazing solar system through these hands-on STEM activities: ?? Using colors and patterns, code a tiny robot through our Milky Way Galaxy! ?? Learn all about the moon as you explore potential and kinetic energy by constructing and testing a lunar catapult. ?? Experiment with force, angles, and precision as you construct a straw rocket that soars! ?? Build a mini version of the solar system that fits into your pocket! Plus, enjoy star shows in our mini planetarium and learn about inspiring women in STEM. Don't miss an exciting night of STEM exploration—visit our website to learn more and RSVP: bit.ly/OctStarry24!