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
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Girlstart: In Brief Founded 1997 (Austin, Texas) • 2010: Programs outside Austin (‘Girlstart to Go’) launched • Core Programs: •
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Girlstart After School Girlstart Summer Camp Girls in STEM Conference Community STEM Programs
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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’ •
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2014 by the Numbers
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Girlstart After School Overview •
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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.
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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
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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 • • • • • •
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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.
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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 • •
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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
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