We are excited to share our 2016 Winter Grant Cycle recipients. We selected these programs based on their ability to deliver on specific criteria, including: preparing girls academically for successful college study in STEM fields; fostering girls’ interest, confidence and persistence in STEM studies and fields; and producing measurable results that show a positive impact on closing the gender gap.
Design Connect Create (DCC), our partner for delivering summer AP physics camps for girls, will offer six camp sessions in 2016. Our support will allow DCC to scale the camps by serving up to 220 girls this year—2.5x more than 2015! DCC will offer the camps in Dallas ISD, Mesquite ISD and Fort Worth ISD, as well as two open enrollment camps at the University of Texas at Dallas. Expected outcomes include higher AP-Physics test scores than non-campers, and long-term, DCC expects to increase the number of four-year degrees in STEM and Engineering earned by campers, based on 2006 cohort results.
The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) will deliver STEM Gender Equity training for educators in two North Texas school districts. NAPE training helps educators identify possible sources of bias, recognize the unique gifts of others and embrace cultural diversity. The expected outcome will be that educators will implement NAPE micromessaging strategies in their classrooms and encourage girls to pursue further study in STEM.
The II-VI Foundation will expand its Summer Science Splash Camp into North Texas at the University of Texas at Dallas. Our grant will subsidize 50 seats for girls, out of 100 total seats. The mission of the II-VI Foundation is to encourage and enable students to pursue a career in engineering, science and mathematics while maintaining a standard of excellence in that pursuit. Summer Science Splash Camp is a one week residential camp for middle school girls and boys, nurturing students’ interest in STEM subjects at a time when they are beginning to think about their future careers. The camp also operates in Pennsylvania, Florida and Mississippi.
Congratulations to our winter grant recipients!