MEDIA ALERT
Immediate Release
Contact: Jennifer Wei, 510.777.9170 x308, jwei@techbridgegirls.org
Techbridge Receives $2.7 Million Grant from National Science Foundation to Expand STEM Programs for Girls Nationally
OAKLAND, CA, Aug. 28, 2013 – Techbridge, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring girls in science, technology and engineering, has received a five-year $2.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant will bring Techbridge’s award-winning after-school programs for girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to new cities across the country and give many more girls access to innovative hands-on projects, career exploration opportunities and role models.
For the past 14 years, Techbridge after-school programs have served more than 4,000 girls in grades 5-12 and focus on low-income, underrepresented communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily in Oakland and San Jose. Hands-on curricula are developed especially for girls, such as building fashion-forward robots and creating green dollhouses, to nurture an interest in science and engineering. Role models and trips to STEM companies expose girls to a variety of careers they may not have otherwise considered. Trainings are provided to teachers, role models and families to ensure that girls have the broad base of support they need to pursue their interest in STEM.
This grant will help Techbridge identify three new cities with a significant need for STEM programming for girls, expanding into 24 school sites to engage at least 2,000 girls and their families along with supporting over 600 role models. Techbridge Executive Director, Linda Kekelis, reflected, “We’ve seen the impact of our program model on girls and look forward to working with our partners to introduce the wonders of STEM to girls across the country.”
“I am pleased that Techbridge has been selected to receive this important and competitive funding,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “It is our obligation to ensure that all children are equipped with the STEM education they need to contribute and thrive in the economy of the future and I applaud the National Science Foundation and Techbridge’s efforts towards reaching this goal.”
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Techbridge is a non-profit organization that empowers girls to realize their dreams through science, technology and engineering. Techbridge offers after-school programs in 14 schools across three school districts in the San Francisco Bay Area serving more than 400 girls a year. Techbridge has reached another 15,000 girls through a national partnership with Girl Scout councils. Additionally, Techbridge has trained and supported more than 8,000 role models, teachers, and families to build a network of support for girls and share best practices and guidance for inspiring girls in STEM. For more information, visit www.techbridgegirls.org.