I always enjoy reading about the many different programs offered in different communities all around the world to help more girls pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). There is always one thing that bothers me about these wonderful programs though, that they don’t exist for girls everywhere.
That’s why I was so excited when I heard the amazing new program coming from the leading authority on all things STEM, The Women@NASA. For those of you who may not know the Women@NASA is a website that was created in response to the Executive Order, signed March 11, 2009, establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls. The site includes over 64 videos and essays from women who work at NASA in all of its many different departments as a way to help inspire girls and women.
Women@NASA has now created NASA G.I.R.L.S. (Girls Initiative and Relevance to Learning Science). What make this program so different from the many others I see in various communities (aside from the fact that it’s NASA) is that this program is VIRTUAL, making it possible for any girl with access to a computer to apply regardless of where she lives.
This virtual mentoring program uses video chat programs so that young girls can actually learn and interact with real women engineers, astronauts, scientists and a variety of other STEM positions at NASA.
Girls in grades 5th through 8th are eligible to apply for the program starting in May. The process will be open for 3 to 4 weeks with the inaugural class in July. Girls who get into the program will be assigned a random mentor (selection will be partly based on their application essays). During the 5-week course they will take part in a number of STEM related activities with one on one access t their personal mentor for the entire five weeks.
In the fall of 2012 NASA G.I.R.L.S. plans to team up with the Challenger Foundation and the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital to offer group mentoring.
We couldn’t be more excited to see all the amazing things NASA G.I.R.L.S. will help accomplish and how many girls they will end up inspiring!
If you know a SheHero who would be interested be sure and visit NASA G.I.R.L.S. here.
