STEM Sparks from Six Corners

How do you inspire countless others around you to study STEM?  

Well, you need a SPARK!  And that's exactly who our g4g Ambassadors are and what they do -- these young mentors SPARK curiousity, confidence and encouragement to girls and young women around them.

Some years back, we conducted an IMPACT study with university professors to understand the need to encourage girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects - what should be done, how it can make an impact, and if our organisation, greenlight for girls, may already be on the right path.  DRUM ROLL, please... Studies demonstrated that in order to create an impact, you need to instill confidence, create a community of supporters, engage with creative and experiential learning, and provide inspiring connections to professionals in the field.  And yep, you guessed it - g4g's work does all of this demonstrating clear impact, and it just keeps on growing!!

--> ENTER our STEM Spark-ling Ambassadors

Here are the stories of just six of our many ambassadors sharing how they spark curiosity from six corners of the world.  Starting with Julia, our g4g Ambassdor Coordinator who leads the way as well the stories from these six STEM stars:  Afia from India, Chamss from Tunisia, Liz from Spain, Maria Clara from Brazil, Skye from Nigeria, Lilly from the US

Julia, our Ambassador Lead

Why you are leading the ambassadors?:

"I joined the greenlight for girls Ambassador Programme in October 2020, when I was 15 years old. I was passionate about STEM and excited to share that passion with my local community and beyond. In early 2021, I was offered the opportunity to become Ambassador Coordinator, and I have been proud to be part of the g4g team ever since.

While my academic strengths and degree are in STEM, I am also deeply passionate about leadership, mentorship, and giving back to the community. As Ambassador Coordinator, I am able to combine my STEM background with my project management and communication skills to help support and lead the Ambassador Programme.

Serving as g4g Ambassador Coordinator for more than five years has helped shape me into the person and young professional I am today. From learning how to communicate confidently with adults as a young teen, to organizing events, supporting ambassadors, and helping bring projects to life, my work with g4g has prepared me not only to be a confident woman in STEM, but also a well-rounded leader."

Why it is important to encourage girls in STEM:

It is so important to encourage girls in STEM because many young girls already have a spark of curiosity, creativity, and passion for science, technology, engineering, and math. With encouragement, inspiration, and role models, that spark can grow into confidence and possibility.  greenlight for girls does such meaningful work by showing girls that Anything is Possible. I am so honored to be part of a team that helps girls see themselves in STEM and believe in their own potential.

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Lily from the US

Why did you become an ambassador?:

"Hello, my name is Lilly. I am passionate about girl's education which inspired me to partner with g4g to gain support for my local projects and get involved globally. With g4g, I received a community grant to perform STEM labs at my local elementary school as well as designed a PET plastic recycler - turns PET plastic water bottles into 3D filament. I recently studied abroad in Morocco and hope to continue my Arabic studies in college through an Arabic minor!

Throughout my life I have had an interest in STEM. It always clicked in my brain and I excelled in STEM subjects. Yet whenever we had group projects I saw everyone turning to the men for answers assuming that their perspective was best. These experiences undermined the confidence in my abilities and skills as an academic. As the years went on I finally had a teacher who believed in me and saw my capabilities. He empowered me to stand up for myself and project my voice. It is hard to be seen as capable as a woman in STEM, but he taught me the first step is putting yourself out there. This is why I want to be a Greenlight for Girls Ambassador because I want to give back what was awarded to me by uplifting women’s voices specifically in STEM. I want to be apart of experiences and programs that create belief in people and action in the community."

What are you doing to promote STEM to those around you?

Perform STEM labs at local elementary school and designed a PET plastic recycler - turns PET plastic water bottles into 3D filament.

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Afia from India

Why did you become an ambassador?

"I first attended a Greenlight for Girls (g4g) session in Dubai during ninth grade, and it sparked my interest in STEM. Now, as a B.Tech student and an active member of IEEE Women in Engineering (WiE), I want to give back by inspiring more girls to explore STEM and helping create opportunities for the next generation."

What are you doing to promote STEM to those around you?

Through IEEE Women in Engineering (WiE), I help organize workshops, technical events, and outreach activities that encourage students, especially young girls, to explore STEM. I also mentor students and share my experiences to inspire confidence and curiosity in technology.

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Chamss from Tunisia

Why did you become an ambassador?:

"Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, 'Aim for the moon, if you miss, you may hit a star.' Inspired by this profound notion, I am thrilled to apply to be a greenlight for girls' ambassador because I believe it is the launching pad that will propel me towards my goals.

STEM has always held a special place in my heart as I am a passionate individual who aspires to explore the frontiers of its fields. My journey began with a fascination for science, sparked by my father, an electrician, who involved me in his electrical crafts since I was young. Also, with my love for reading, I found joy in exploring my father's scientific magazines, especially 'Science et Vie,' a French magazine. I have always been attracted to scientific experiments and National Geographic documentaries.

As I progressed to high school, my love for science and technology blossomed, and I eagerly embarked on projects like an automated door sensor with my teacher. Simultaneously, my interest in biology grew, and I became curious about its connection to living beings and our world. I actively participated in scientific events with my high school science club, enriching my knowledge in this field. I was also among the founding members of my school's radio club, which allowed us to share scientific news and deliver speeches during breaks.

During my university years, where I am currently studying industrial biology engineering, I actively sought opportunities to broaden my horizons. I joined SYMBIO, a club primarily focusing on biology and chemistry. We organize workshops on both soft skills and hard skills, as well as industrial visits to factories and companies in our field of study. These experiences allowed me to witness the fundamentals of work firsthand and expand my network by engaging with professionals, directors, CEOs, engineers, and workers who generously shared valuable advice and lessons. Among them were female engineers and managers who inspired us to hold high positions in STEM. These events significantly strengthened my love for biology and STEM. 

Furthermore, studying in a large university with diverse fields of study has allowed me to befriend students from other majors like software engineering and telecommunications. I enthusiastically attend their lectures to gain interdisciplinary insights. Encouraged by one of my teachers, who recognized my passion for both biology and computer science, I delved deeper into machine learning and enrolled in recommended classes. As a curious person passionate about STEM, I always seize every possible chance to learn more about other scientific fields and discover their connection to biology."

 What are you doing to promote STEM to those around you?

Blending science with art through writing, painting, and design. Committed to empowering girls and promoting environmental awareness.     

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Liz from Spain

Why did you become an ambassador?

"Hey!! I’m Liz, and I am from Spain and the US. I am studying an MChem in Chemistry! I have a fond interest in Chemistry and would love to become a researcher in the future. After attending two STEM exploratorium events run by G4G, I was interested in helping other young girls find their tribe like I did, so I became a G4G ambassador in 2024. 

From a young age I was always drawn to science, I realized that the only way to get more people to become drawn to science is by initiatives like greenlight for girls, therefore the most logical thing I could do was join the amazing community that g4g has to get other young girls to be as passionate about science as I was when I was young!"

What are you doing to promote STEM to those around you?

Follow my Instagram account @sciencegirldiaries to see my journey in becoming a scientist.

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Maria Clara from Brazil 

Why did you become an ambassador?:

"Hi, I'm Maria! Brazilian living in Canada, studying biochemistry and fueled by endless curiosity about the world. Outside of STEM I enjoy travelling, meeting new people, watching films and spending time with my friends and family. I am very excited to be part of G4G and hopefully help young girls chase their wildest dreams!

I have always been passionate about science and curious to understand the world around me. As I progressed through my academic journey, this curiosity only deepened, ultimately guiding me to pursue a career in the field. Next year, I will begin my studies majoring in Biological Sciences.

g4g holds a very special place in my heart, as it supported me during my final two years of high school. I first discovered the organization in 11th grade while organizing a project at my school to promote young women in STEM. From the very beginning, I was inspired by the values and mission of g4g, and I was eager to take part in its vision.

I strongly believe in a future where women are equitably represented across scientific fields; a future where young girls feel encouraged, empowered, and never held back from pursuing their dreams. By becoming a g4g ambassador, I am confident that I can contribute to this mission and help create opportunities for the next generation of women in STEM."

What are you doing to promote STEM to those around you?:

I'm a brand new ambassador and I'm so excited to see what the future will bring!

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Skye from Nigeria

Why did you become an ambassador?:

"I'm a 15-year-old Nigerian-American high school student and I am enthusiastic about biostatistics and epidemiology. I am passionate about using abstract mathematical theorems to solve real world problems and hope to have a career in medicine and public health in the future. 

I am passionate about STEM, particularly biology and chemistry, and believe that more girls should have opportunities in the field. I would like to support STEM initiatives in my community and work with other girls from around the world who are passionate about STEM as I am. I enjoy hearing and learning from the perspectives of others, and I believe that collaboration is a great way to support other young girls in STEM. As a Nigerian-American high school student, I want to see a reflection of myself in the STEM field, and I want the same for other girls like me. Situations without role models are self perpetuating: people avoid fields where they don't see anyone like them, keeping the cycle of lack of diversity alive. Growing up, I never saw many women in STEM, and that was the same for a lot of girls in my classes. When the love of STEM is instilled in young girls early on, it often will follow them throughout life. Participating in STEM events as a younger girl was got me very excited about science, and the activities I learned from still inspire me to this day. I would like to contribute to encouraging other girls to go into STEM by becoming a g4g Ambassador. Furthermore, I would like to improve my communication skills, and work with other girls who are just as enthusiastic about STEM as I am. I see that, if selected, I would have the opportunity to volunteer and promote events, and create events in my community to support girls in STEM, the prospect of which excites me. 

I believe that STEM holds a place for all girls, and I am very much inspired by the work of g4g." 

What are you doing to promote STEM to those around you?

I'm excited to support g4g's mission to encourage girls to go into STEM!

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Thank you to all our Ambassadors from every global corner - and to you, our STEM supporters, who make all of this happen.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A dream come true (thanks to perseverance)

We're right on track.  Now, who would have thought THAT when we first shared our 30-year vision 15-years ago??!

Well, we did.

Our organisation,greenlight for girls, celebrates our 15th year - and what better way to celebrate than to look back to our vision and long-term strategy that we set forth when we began. A quote comes to mind - and not perhaps from our usual STEM references, but rather a literary one. William Shakespeare in Midsummer Night's Dream wrote, "Though she be but little, she is fierce". True power is not determined by physical size but by inner strength and resilience.

Why does this quote come to mind? When we started, we were definitely 'little' - just a handful of people, our inspiring global board, and a dream. We began 'fiercely'. We didn't set an annual strategy, nor a 5-year plan. No, our first step was to set a 30-year vision and strategy to achieve it.

And, amazingly enough, we've followed it - from then to now. We're halfway there - and it's time to set our next 30-years ahead. But, guess what? On this dream path, at this very milestone year, we identified the goal to provide resources and inspiration directly to teachers and their educational communities. We have been working these past years to try and test our STEM + DESIGN pedagogical methods, tools, and experiments - and celebrating the incredible outcome to inspire more than 75,000 girls across 39 countries. 94% of the girls who attend our events and participate in our hands-on activities tell us that - now - after they attend an event, tell us, "we want to study STEM!".

So, now, we feel ready. How can we then help to get these resources into the hands of their most influential role models - the teachers that are with them everyday?

Enter our news from this past quarter!  g4g and wonderful partners in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Romania are making this happen!  With g4g in the lead to design creative exercises to bring right into the classroom, our collaboration is making it possible to provide open resources that teachers, in any setting, can use to encourage and empower their students to pursue STEM careers and paths.

This possibility - this milestone - is because of the incredible support from all of you, from 15-years ago through to an infinity of tomorrows ahead - we make impact together!

See the impact of the past few months in these images - the look in these girls' eyes will tell you everything.

Making the Impossible Possible for 170 girls

The word of the day is INVENTION. This is the word we used the most during our latest event that occurred just a few days ago in Bracknell, UK.  Of course, we were inspired by one of our g4g global partners, 3M - and invention is exactly what they do, and we loved to show this by sharing their work and introducing their team to these young future inventors.  

Invent what’s needed to make the impossible possible.

This is what we hope to inspire for all the girls that we reach in our events. For this past quarter, we've had the chance to inspire 175 girls in three countries:  France, Belgium, and the UK.  

During these last few months, these curious, inventive girls and young women, ages 9 to 22, have come from more than 25 school systems, home-schooled environments, and 4 universities.  

They have had the chance to see the manufacturing and distribution facilities of lab equipment in Leuven, Belgium.  They have explored the VR technology in clean rooms in Grenoble, France.  They have seen the creative uses of adhesive inventions in Bracknell, UK. 

Anyone who knows us knows that we like to disrupt notions. Notions like…. Some science topics can be too complex to explain to a 10-year old. Notions like… our career lives are a clear and straight path. Notions like… believing that you are not good (enough) for a subject. (like mathematics – please, don’t get us started!).  

We like to disrupt.

Rollercoasters made of straws… Mayor challenges made of rigatoni… Golf Clubs made of plastic bottles… DNA extracted using electrolytes… Flying structures using hoops… Dreaming up the car of the future using blindfolds…  Learning how to code without a computer... Designing the sustainable laboratory of the future using collaboration... (and we have 100+ more disruptive ways that we encourage learning).

It’s been 15 years (this year) since we started. We’ve come a long way. We’ve a long way to go. And it’s been and will be an inspiring and important journey with all of you.

STEM Marvels and Stories of Impact in 4 Countries

Did we inspire more than 500 girls in the last three months - or, did they inspire us?!!   

Whenever we get the chance to bring our STEM learning fun to girls around the world, this is what we turn to each other and say, "WOW, these girls were amazing!  They inspire us so much!"  And we're so thrilled that they say the same at the end of the event. 

In fact, 94% of the girls who attend tell us that, because of the event, they are inspired to learn more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

What an amazing last few months with our greenlight for girls activities around the world!  Where?  4 Countries - UK, US, Portugal, and Italy - were the locations of our biggest g4g events during this time.  The cities?  London, Bridgewater, Lisbon, and Treviso were our host cities.  The girls?  500 girls, ages 10 to 16 years old, across various backgrounds, schooling, cultures, and needs took part in these day-long STEM learning events.  The role models?  250 women and men, young g4g ambassadors, from several companies, organizations, and universities shared their knowledge, career path, and wisdom.

Your support helped to make this happen!

We are very priviledged to work with amazing global partners who make it possible to plan and realise an event.  Our partners these past few months include:  AIG, Bridgewater State University, Loughborough University, OLX, Applied Materials, H-Farm International Schools, and more!  TOur global partners support the funding, resource, and location needs - and with your individual and company help through globalgiving, we are able to reach girls across communities to give this special opportunity for learning about STEM studies and careers.

A few Special STEM Marvel(ous) Moments and Stories of Impact

  • 40 Sustainable Inventions were creatively constructed and pitched in teams at our event in Lisbon.

  • In London, four women who were participants (at the age of 12!) at our earliest g4g events 15 years ago joined us to share their STEM professions with the girls and how g4g helped them to set their paths ablaze to where they are now. 

  • This year is our 15th year since we began - and our event in southcoast massachusetts celebrated their 15th year of reaching more than 1500 girls in the area!

  • That moment in Treviso when one of the team at the school asked us -- do you think the girls would like to have their photo taken by our drone?  Umm, YES!!    

Thank you everyone for making these STEM Marvels and Stories of Impact possible for these young future STEM adventurers.  More to do!  Join us - Send your Ideas - Encourage an ambassador - Support the next event!  72,000 girls reached so far.  Our next goal?  100,000.

Sustainable Inventions & Dreaming up the Future

Time whizzes by when you are dreaming up ideas for the future!!  Thank you everyone for your support of our events around the world to inspire girls of all ages and backgrounds to dream up possibilities with some STEM learning inspiration.

Where did these last months bring us?

Ten events in six countries, that's where!  We've traveled from North America to Europe to Australia these past few months and had the opportunity to meet and inspire 730 girls and to introduce them to over 200 role models in STEM!

  • 200 young women from 30 schools participated in our Sustainability project to encourage them to dream up ideas for the environment.  Our STEM Reception held at the US Embasssy showcased 50 of our participants with special awards for their incredible ideas such as:  a smart and practical solution to tackle littering and improve waste management in public spaces, Meat Free Mondays to rethink our food choices for a healthier planet and future, Eco-School Supplies Initiative, an inspiring project that reimagines everyday school materials with sustainability in mind, and Sustainable Sanitary Pads project—an eco-conscious solution tackling both menstrual health and plastic waste reduction

  • 120 girls and 30 boys participated in our STEM Exploratoria to dream up the future of cars!  They had the special invitation to explore the hands-on exhibition from the Automotive Association and meet role models from Toyota, BMW, and Renault.

  • 300+ girls had the chance to participate in our special g4g days in 3 countries during this past month.  Hands-on fun showing technology, robotics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics and more were on the agenda for these special full day events.

  • 110 girls (and their parents) learned why coding and computer science is important for their future with special events in Australia and Belgium.

Thank you again for your incredible support to make these events happen!  

And what's next?  Well, we'll mention these words as a hint... the STORIES of g4g girls around the world.

Marshmallow structures & Fruit-inspired Energy

Your support has made it possible for us to inspire 400 girls in 4 countries with 7 events - in just 2 months!

This autumn, our g4g team has been bringing STEM fun at light-speed to girls in US, UK, Italy, and Belgium.  Take a fast-paced tour with us through these inspiring moments and get ready to hear what is next.

Not one, not two, but THREE events on STEM & Sustainability

200 young women dreaming of STEM university studies ahead were invited to the US Embassy in Brussels to learn from industry mentors, dive into creative sustainability & collaborative exercises, and develop much-needed ideas and inventions for the future.  What's next?  50 of these young women, and their sustainability ideas, will be selected to meet the US Ambassador for a special STEM reception in their honor.  But, we are getting ahead of ourselves!  More news in the next report!

Marshmallow Structures & Fruit-inspired Energy in London and Treviso

Hands-on STEM Learning fun was all the rage for the girls in London, UK and Treviso, Italy during these past few weeks.  150 girls had the chance to learn about future careers in insurance, science & research (at AIG in London) and in manufacturing (at Applied Materials in Treviso).   Science experiments with marshmallows and fruit to teach engineering structures and green energy?!!  Yes, that's right.  And 90% of the girls who attended wish to put STEM in their sites for the future.  

Mentors are key!

50 young women had the chance to learn directly from scientists in the lab in Massachusetts, USA.  From our impact report, we know that mentorship is key to inspiring girls and young women for furthering their STEM education and dreams for the future.  The Avantor Foundation opened up their labs to these young women and inspired them with the coolest of experiments and laboratory explorations.

Keep following us around the world - because our tour continues to six more countries and nine more events in just the next 90 days. 

Around the world in 90 days?!!  Anything is Possible!

Empowerment, Inspiration & Possibilities

The theme of this past few months is most certainly, EMPOWERMENT!!  When girls and young women are encouraged to create & share their unique ideas & solutions, when they have the opportunity to meet peers & mentors to show future paths, and when they learn how to build their skills and confidence in STEM, then ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!  Our g4g events these past few months have been centered around this theme - and it's creating an avalanche of possibilities for these young women and for g4g too!  

Our events and activities these past few months have empowered more than 200 girls across a few countries:

  • Young women at the US Embassy developed more than 100 ideas for sustainability, inspired by the UN SDGs and g4g experiments and collaboration exercises.

  • Girls and young women in Brazil were invited to university for the day to meet professors and build STEM skills.

  • Parents and girls were invited to one of g4g's Parents Adventure in Tech to learn about the future possibilities in computer science. Here's more below to learn more of what this adventure was all about! 

Treasure Troves of Discovery for Parents and their girls

On June 12, 2024, the Google Brussels office became a place of inspiration and possibility for parents and their daughters as they embarked on an unforgettable journey into the future of technology. The event, organized by g4g in partnership with Google, aimed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a love for technology among young girls aged 10 to 15, as well as to educate the parents - all this while having fun! With a focus on inclusivity and empowerment, this unique event highlighted the vast opportunities that technology can offer.  Activities spanned a range of tech fields, including coding, artificial intelligence, and creative tech projects that blended art and science. This hands-on approach allowed the girls to see, touch, and experiment with technology in a supportive and encouraging environment. They were able to visualize the incredible possibilities that tech skills can unlock, sparking dreams of future careers in STEM fields.

Building confidence and community

One of the most significant outcomes of the event was the increase in parents' confidence to discuss computer science studies and careers with their daughters. Confidence levels rose by an impressive 34% from the beginning to the end of the event. This increase underscores the importance of creating spaces where parents can learn alongside their children and feel equipped to support their interests in STEM.

Positive feedback and lasting impact

The feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive. Many highlighted the value of sharing the experience with their daughters, emphasizing how it opened up new conversations about technology and career possibilities. Parents appreciated hearing from senior tech professionals, who served as inspiring role models for the young attendees. Comments such as "It opens up the possibility to talk about this subject with them" and "Having senior tech people share their experiences provides a good role model for young girls" reflected the day's impact.

Encouraging future tech leaders

The event also had a profound effect on the girls themselves. A staggering 92% of the girls expressed a desire to further build their computer science skills after the event. Additionally, their knowledge of computer science increased by 50%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the hands-on learning approach. The girls left with a powerful piece of advice for their peers: "Anything is possible."

Continuing the journey

At the conclusion of the day, participants received a certificate from Google and g4g, along with a treasure trove of resources to continue their tech journey at home. This ensures that the learning and inspiration don't end with the event but continue to grow as they explore the world of technology further.

2024 Leaps forward with Gratitude & Adventures

Do you know what a LEAP year means to g4g? YES! An extra day of the year to inspire young women around the world to get curious about STEM and their future! The first months have already started out with a huge leap of impact, immense gratitude for all of you, and some fun and amazing adventures to tell you about.

 

The magic of collaboration – Minecraft meets Biodiversity meets DNA

What do these three topics have in common? Well, it’s all STEM related, of course! With Microsoft leading the way, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Centro Ciência Viva, g4g, and Avantor Foundation joined forces to bring science and technology excitement to Lisbon in February. 200 young girls, ages 10-15, excitedly ran between the inspiring Microsoft Lisbon offices and the Science Center labs to try their hands at robotics, 3D printing, bridge building, DNA, biodiversity, mathematical games, Minecraft + Sustainability, Power Apps and more! What was truly uniquely special and magical at this first g4g day of the year? Several things actually: seeing the girls transform their labcoats into science stories, holding an after-lunch wellness break for tips to deal with stress, an invitation from Microsoft to parents to learn about safety & the internet, and working with a very special g4g role model, Mayte Cubino Gonzales, from Microsoft. We always say – the magical spark of any g4g moment begins with one special person. Mayte – thank you! And thank you to all of the incredible team members from Microsoft, the Science Center, Avantor, and the parents & teachers who volunteered to be part of this great day.

Impact of the day: 90% of the girls rated the day as EXCELLENT and 95% would recommend this event to their friends. Our favourite word that they used to describe the day? Whioohoooo.

Our favourite message from one of our volunteers? “I'm writing this with a heart full of joy and gratitude. Participating as a volunteer in the g4g day Lisbon was an immensely rewarding experience. Witnessing the enthusiasm and curiosity of 200 young girls as they explored the vast world of STEM was truly inspiring. It's not every day that you get to see the future of science and technology being so eagerly embraced, and I feel incredibly privileged to have been a part of this transformative journey.”

 

A *NEW* Adventure has begun – the Parent’s Adventure in Tech

Wait? What? Another opportunity for parents to join in the fun?!! Mexico City has been the launch pad for this new adventure in March. Google and g4g created a dedicated to exploring the exciting world of computer science and the diverse career opportunities available for their children. With interactive & hands-on sessions, including topics like AI, virtual reality, coding, and online safety, parents gained insight into the potential of technology and the career paths that could await their daughters in this field.   The parents found this event full of learning and they loved the chance to try their hand at coding and other technology skills. Their understanding of computer science jobs & learning opportunities for their daughters increased by 41%.   Additionally, the parents attending highly recommend this event to other parents - so be on the lookout for the announcement of where we are going next! (Clue: It’s mentioned in this article in El Heraldo De México)

In the meantime, we'll leave you with a touching quote from one of the parents on what they would tell girls to encourage them: "Show them that it’s a world full of learning… Anything is possible if they want it."

We asked our g4g team, Tess and Valentina, about their favourite impact of the day. “KENIA!”, they yelled in unison. Kenia, our amazing 14-year old TECH star, joined the g4g team to inspire parents during the day. Inspiration can happen the other way too, from daughter to parent… in fact, many of you know this already.

Thank you to Google, the STEM-superstars who shared their time and knowledge, and all the parents who attended!

 

An inflatable globe, an interactive floor map, and circuitry jewelry?

Now, THIS sounds like quite THE adventure. 150 girls in Bridgewater, Massachusetts will tell us all about it soon! In partnership with the Center for Advancement of STEM Education at Bridgewater State University, g4g Day Bridgewater is set to rock your socks off on Saturday, April 6.

Coding robots, soldering circuit jewlery, and jumping into a life-size map – it will be fabulous day of STEM discovery on the campus of BSU.

Can you imagine your 12-year-old self being able to walk university hallways sporting your new labcoat and dreaming of the future? This is what our g4g girls in the US will get the chance to experience soon. Have fun everyone!

 

Gratitude for the extra day with you

Every day, and especially an extra leap year day, reminds us of why we do what we do… and how we do it. That’s where all of you come in. We appreciate every moment of your time that you give to g4g and to the community that you impact around you. We appreciate everyone who has been a part of g4g’s journey, for any amount of time, and for those that are joining next – THANK YOU!

Girls in STEM are buzzing with excitement!

We're still buzzing from the excitement from our events these past few months!

Our travels take us first to our g4g Day in London, a day of science inspiration made possible through our partnership with AIG! The timing couldn't have been better, as it was held near the International Day of the Girl – a day dedicated to empowering girls by giving them what they need to achieve their dreams.

We had a blast with over 200 attendees, all diving deep into the fascinating world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). 

We rocked out with 10 workshops that lit up our minds, from experimenting with Science Rock Stars to inventing STEM solutions for London with inspiring STEM-ists from AIG and our event support partners, P&G and Avantor. We even went on a treasure hunt to learn about trailblazing female scientists! And that's not all, we also got the inside scoop from real-life scientists and had some awesome mentors to guide us.

It was a day filled with electrifying fun, and we were over the moon to ignite the spark of STEM subjects in young girls. 

A huge thank you to all of our partners and volunteers. You made it STEM-tacular! 

After taking a quick breath after London, our travels take us to...

Bonjour, France!

We were thrilled to team up with Trane Technologies  in France for a full day of STEM-tastic fun with a group of 19 amazing girls.

A full day of adventure was had for these curious minds, where we unlocked a world of future possibilities! Before the event, only 36% of the girls were keen on chasing a STEM career. But after a day of electrifying experiments and eye-opening experiences, that figure soared to a whopping 73%!

What an amazing opportunity to be able to introduce these trailblazers to TRANE Technologies' STEM role models, showing them just how exciting learning can be. Hats off to TRANE! You've set the stage for girls to follow in your footsteps, and we can't thank you enough for being a true STEM superstar.

Oh, the power of our work is electrifying! With amazing mentors, thrilling STEM experiences, and curious minds connecting, girls are blasting off into a universe of endless potential.

Before g4g Day London, only 40% of the girls believed they had a moderate understanding (or less) of STEM careers. But by the end of the day, a whopping 94% of the girls felt they had a much better grasp! And that's not all - before the event, only 30% of the girls were interested in STEM studies and careers, but after the day was over, 85% of them were buzzing with excitement!

We will continue inspiring girls so that they know that anything is possible. In fact, we are planning to sprinkle STEM magic in Brussels, Canberra, Buenos Aires, Paris and Lisbon!

Look out world, here come the STEM superstars!
 

These projects and more are made possible also to your dedication in giving to our organization - and for that, we all THANK YOU!!!

Adventures galore with hydrogen cars & treasures!

These past few months has brought adventures galore for young women around the globe - thanks to your support!

Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt adventure?!  Or exploring how hydrogen cars work? Well, our STEM Adventurers surely do.  Follow along our travels...  

First stop - The AIG Treasure Hunt & its lucky winners

In April, with our treasured partner AIG, we welcomed STEM Adventurers into our g4g Labfor the first ever g4g Treasure Hunt.  And oh, what an incredibly enthusiastic and supportive community of treasure hunters we had – joining us from so many places like South Korea, Belgium, Germany, Spain, England, Italy, and the US! We learned so much about coding, aerodynamics, biodiversity, evolution, and chemistry, and the roles that women play in each of these fields. And we were fortunate to close out our week together with a live session featuring Emily Gray from AIG who shared fantastic advice for all of us on navigating your future and careers in STEM

And as amazing as each of these days were, the biggest treat was seeing our Treasure Hunters complete their daily challenges with such creativity, enthusiasm, and support for one another!

Congratulations to our overall Treasure Hunt winner - Medeina from Belgium – and to our individual category winners:

Best Butterfly Camouflage: Saanvi from South Korea
Best Red Cabbage ph Experiment: Elze from Belgium
Best Paper Airplane Flight: Akyas from South Korea
Best Chat Engagement and Community Building: Elsa and Orla from the UK

Next stop - let's get in our hydrogen car and go to.... Belgium!

And the treasures don’t stop there! Hydrogen cars were the experiment mode of transport for young women in Belgium as they explored the facilities and expertise of our new partner, Cummins. 

In April, Cummins opened their doors to a world of exciting adventures! The girls built their very own hydrogen cars, as you can see in the picture above. Plus, they had an amazing opportunity to ask questions directly to the experts in the room, which left a profound impact on all who attended. We were also shown where all the magic happens by being given a behind the scenes tour. Thank you to all the driven volunteers who helped the girls feel so welcome, inspired and energised!Our g4g explorers also took part in an exciting hydrogen car adventure with our new partner, Cummins. 

Let's go to - Luxembourg! 

In June, we held a fulfilling day STEM activities designed for curious young minds at the Vodafone Foundation! We welcomed 82 girls to the Vodafone offices in Luxembourg for a full day of science & technology interactive fun - and the connection to amazing role models in various roles that the girls could aspire to follow in their foot steps.

Last stop -- your kidding?!!  Meeting the scientist behind the COVID-19 vaccine?!!

Ready to unlock your future? The Avantor Foundation is!  With our collaboration, our last stop for this quarter's journey has brought us to an incredible opportunity.  We held a g4g Creative Hour, 60-minutes of inspiring talks, ideas, & creations - on the theme of ‘Breakthrough Discoveries!’  And we invited someone who inspired all of us to make breakthrough discoveries of our own - Professor Katalin Karikó. 

"All of my research was curiosity-driven," was just one of the inspiring words of wisdom that she passed on to our g4g community.

Curiosity-driven is a great way to summarize our passion to bring these opportunities to STEM adventurers around the world - thank you for your support to make this happen!