Girlstart Overview Slides May 2015

Tamara Hudgins, Ph.D., Executive Director girlstart.org

Science

Technology

Engineering Math

REBALANCE THE EQUATION

WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY

ONLY 1 IN 7 ENGINEERS IS F EMALE

girlstart.org

Girlstart: In Brief Founded 1997 (Austin, Texas) • 2010: Programs outside Austin (‘Girlstart to Go’) launched • Core Programs: •

• • • •

Girlstart After School Girlstart Summer Camp Girls in STEM Conference Community STEM Programs

i

Project IT Girl (2006-2009) outcomes: 80% of girls went into 4-yr university, 87% in a STEM major • Only organization in the US to have 2 programs recognized by Change the Equation’s ‘STEMWorks’ •

girlstart.org

2014 by the Numbers

girlstart.org

girlstart.org

Girlstart After School Overview •

• • • • • •

• • •

•

1,343+ girls / 50 programs in 2014-2015: largest in the nation. ~70% low SES • One program sustaining in the DFW area (Mansfield ISD); we aspire to 20-40 by 2017 (strategic plan slides below) Weekly, standards-aligned programs designed to inspire and motivate girls in STEM 92% master the scientific method/engineering design process.

90% agree that “If I try hard, I can be good at science.”

89% say, “I like science!”

83% report interest in more STEM classes at middle and high school.

95% understand that doing well in STEM at school means that they are more likely to get into college.

95% report intent to go to college (49% would be first-generation college students).

94% understand that doing well in STEM at college can lead to a better job.

Girlstart girls gain higher scores (23% higher than non-Girlstart girls) on math + science standardized tests. Girlstart participants also attained Commended Performance on 5th grade math/science tests at a higher rate than non-Girlstart participants.

After Girlstart, participants enrolled in STEM advanced and pre-AP math and science at a higher rate than non-Girlstart participants.

i

girlstart.org

girlstart.org

GIRLSTART AFTER SCHOOL

1,300+ girls every week between

Dallas and McAllen

(so far!) girlstart.org

Careers this year: electrical engineer environmental engineer manufacturing engineer aerospace engineer

Girls

environmental scientist ecologist biofuel engineer geomorphologist wind energy engineer paleontologist landfill engineer

girlstart.org

IMPROVING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

71% i

After School Girls

48% Nonparticipating girls*

*% Girlstart girls passing 2012 and 2013 5th grade science STAAR exam vs. matched comparison group

IMPROVING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

71% 48% i

After School Girls

Nonparticipating girls*

63 % Non-participating boys & girls at Austin partner schools**

*% Girlstart girls passing 2012 and 2013 5th grade science STAAR exam vs. matched comparison group **overall 5th grade science STAAR performance at AISD partner schools

71% After School Girls

GIRLSTART SUMMER CAMP

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Girlstart Summer Camp Overview • • • • • •

• •

• •

2014: 674 girls (53% scholarship for high-need girls) 14 camps in Austin, 13 ‘to Go' in other communities (including DFW area) 40-hour, intensive program wrapped around a theme (e.g., Designer Paradise) 93% master the scientific method/engineering design process.

89% reported a strong desire to take more STEM classes in middle and high school.

96% understand that doing well in STEM at school means that they are more likely to get into college.

93% agree that “If I try hard, I can be good at science.”

97% reported willingness to redesign their project if it didn’t work the first try (grit + resilience, as well as understanding of the engineering design process) 95% reported that it was fun to use computers to create new things in Summer Camp.

2014’s technology experiences included: 3D printing, video game development, app development, MaKey MaKey and Scratch programming, robotics, and animation.

i

girlstart.org

girlstart.org

girlstart.org

2012-2014 Strategic Plan Highlights Girlstart After School • • • •

Growth: 4 programs (2009) —> 50 programs (2015) ‘STEMWorks’ certified by Change the Equation Largest / most robust STEM after school programs for girls/nation Girlstart After School girls = better performance on science & i math standardized tests

Girlstart Summer Camp • •

•

Growth: 231 girls / 8 camps (2009)—> 674 girls /27 camps (2014) ‘STEMWorks’ certified + ‘Ready to Scale’ (one of only 4 programs nationally) by Change the Equation Consistent positive outcomes supported by external evaluation girlstart.org

“

Girlstart gave me the opportunity to use my strengths in a challenging and fun way, Bertha Bermudez,

Girlstart After School alumna and geophysicist

girlstart.org

.org