Girlstart

2013 RECIPIENT:

Girlstart has $10,000 for their After School Enrichment Program in Georgetown

Dear Seeds of Strength members,

Without you, Girlstart After School couldn’t be what it is today. Owing to your generosity, the more than 190 girls we reach each week through Girlstart After School in Georgetown are experiencing the magic of STEM.

Because of you, Girlstart After School is the largest program of its kind in the nation. And it’s delivering results. Did you know? We’re seeing that Girlstart girls are doing better—8% better—than non-Girlstart participants on the STAAR science test.

95% of Girlstart After School girls now understand the scientific method and the engineering design process. Increasing STEM acumen is one of our core goals.
88% of them now say: “I like science!” and “I want to do more science activities!” Sustaining and increasing interest in STEM is another of our goals.
82% say that STEM jobs seem more interesting to them after being in Girlstart. Sustaining girls’ interest in STEM electives, majors, and careers is our greatest goal. Because of you, we are increasing STEM acumen, confidence, and interest. You are changing the equation for girls in STEM through your support of Girlstart After School.
More than 76% of these girls are nonwhite, and more than 73% of them are high need. These girls would never otherwise have a program like Girlstart After School. You make this possible. Because of you, girls explored activities and careers in earth science and engineering…
As environmental engineers, girls built different types of water filters, tested their efficacy, and learned about how clean water isn’t as easy as it seems.
As software engineers and game developers, girls designed, programmed, and tested analog and computer-based games. (Did you know? Computers have to be told what to do.They don’t tell people what to do!)
As wind energy engineers, girls converted conventional cars into wind-powered cars. And, as aeronautical engineers, girls built catapults and gliders.

Girlstart girls worked together on weekly hands-on STEM activities in earth science and engineering and explored engineering and earth science careers. It’s the most robust STEM after school program for girls in the nation. In addition, 433 of our After School girls joined us for Girls in STEM, our annual conference for girls with hands-on activities led by women in STEM.

Girlstart girls talked about college, what types of classes they would need to take in high school, and how to pla to enter STEM majors that would lead to STEM careers. But because of you, 97% of Girlstart After School girls say they want to attend college. Yet more than 55% of them would be first generation college students. Girlstart girls are tomorrow’s innovators. They are tomorrow’s engineers. And they, thanks to all of you, will change the world.

~Tamara and all of us at Girlstart