STEMResearcHER Newsletter: February 2025

The STEMResearcHER team wishes you all a great February!!

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STEM ResearcHER Team
February 18, 2025

STEM ResearcHER Newsletter: February 2025

The STEMResearcHER team wishes you all a great February!!

STEM ResearcHER is a 501c3 nonprofit organization working to bridge the gender and accessibility gap in STEM research fields through speaker workshops, mentorship programs, and other community events.

Leadership Opportunity for Students: Join our Education Team!

STEMResearcHER has spots open in our education team! On the education team, you will support our Directors of Education in developing our curriculum, planning events, and mentoring students. This opportunity is open to highschool students and is a great way to develop your leadership skills, work with like-minded students, and explore STEM!

Apply here and email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Chicago STEMStravaganza Recap

Thank you to everyone who came to our Chicago STEMStravaganza!

We would like to give a special shoutout to everyone who made the event a success! Thank you to Dr. Cangellaris who gave an amazing keynote speech. Our Women in Tech panelists, Maryann Lazzeri, Rebe de la Paz, and Marrissa Alonso, also gave great insights into their journeys and careers in STEM! Avanti Bhatia ended the event with an inspiring closing keynote speech as well. Finally, thank you to Ding Tea for providing free boba for our attendees and Albany Park Library for allowing us to host our event there!

Make sure to be on the lookout for more events like these to learn more about STEM, connect with peers, and meet professionals in the industry!

General Volunteer Applications

STEM ResearcHER is currently accepting applications on a rolling basis for volunteers. We have positions on our marketing, sponsorships, and ambassadors team. If you’re interested in contributing to our mission and working with STEM ResearcHER, please consider applying with this link! Email us at [email protected] if you have any additional questions! 

Summer Opportunities in STEM

Many summer programs in STEM have opened up their applications! Here are some we reccommend checking out.

1. UC Berkeley BLDAP Program - PAID Opportunity

Berkeley Lab hosts the BLDAP: Interdisciplinary Pathways to Machine Learning and Data Science program. This is a high school STEM program created to help students build leadership skills, explore Berkeley’s research opportunities, recieve one-on-one college and career support, and build connections in the STEM industry. Participants are paid a $500 stipend per week. The program is open to 10th and 11th graders with California resident status. Students from San Francisco, West Contra Costa, and Alameda counties are prioritized.

Application Deadline: March 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST

We also highly reccomend you to check out the QCaMP, and EinR programs at UC Berkeley. QCamp is aimed at giving students experience in quantum physics, while EinR offers paid research internships for highschoolers!

To learn more about these programs, sign up for an information session and/or the application workshop!

Program Information Session
Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 6-7:30 pm
Registration link

Application Workshop
Saturday, March 15, 2025, 10-11:30 am
Registration link

2. Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code’s Summer Programs offer high school students the opportunity to explore coding, gain hands-on experience, and connect with a supportive community. The Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a free, live, virtual program where students learn beginner to advanced coding skills while working on real-world projects. The Self-Paced Program allows students to learn at their own speed through interactive coding activities in areas like cybersecurity and game design. Both programs provide mentorship, career exploration, and the chance to develop technical and leadership skills in a fun, collaborative environment.

Prioritiy Application Deadline: February 26

Final Application Deadline: April 11

3. PROMYS

PROMYS (Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists) is a rigorous summer program for high school students passionate about mathematics. Held at Boston University, it immerses students in advanced problem-solving, number theory, and mathematical discovery through intensive coursework and research. Participants collaborate with peers, mentors, and mathematicians to develop creativity and deep reasoning skills.

Application Deadline: March 3

4. Summer Academy for Math and Science

The Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, merit-based residential program designed to support high school juniors from underrepresented communities in exploring STEM fields. Over six weeks, students engage in rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, and research under the mentorship of CMU faculty and staff. The program emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and college readiness, offering workshops on college applications, financial aid, and STEM career exploration. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 16 years old by the program's start, and demonstrate financial need, as the program requires documentation of financial circumstances during application.

Application Deadline: March 1st

5. UPenn Engineering Summer Academy Program (ESAP)

ESAP intensive, three-week residential program for high school students interested in engineering. Participants choose from various courses, including Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, and Robotics, and gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research and technology. Program dates run from July 6 – July 26, 2025. Financial aid is available for qualifying students. The program is open to rising 10th-12th grade students with strong academic records and an interest in engineering.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Tips for Building Strong Summer Program Applications

  • Start Early – Research deadlines and gather materials well in advance.

  • Highlight Passion & Initiative – Showcase genuine interest in the subject through coursework, projects, or extracurriculars.

  • Tailor Essays to the Program – Connect your experiences and goals to what the program offers.

  • Showcase Unique Strengths – Emphasize problem-solving skills, leadership, and curiosity.

  • Secure Strong Recommendations – Ask teachers or mentors who know you well and can speak to your strengths.

  • Proofread & Revise – Ensure clarity, conciseness, and error-free writing.

  • Demonstrate Impact – Show how you have applied your knowledge or skills outside the classroom.

Organization Spotlight

Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG)

Scientific Adventures offers resources and programs to support girls in STEM, particularly those from marginalized communities. Read on for some of the ways you can get involved with Scientific Adventures. Keep in mind that some of these opportunities are only available to those based in the Bay Area. More information can be found here.

Get Involved:

  • Volunteer at their Family STEAM Nights

  • Become a Near Peer Mentor

  • Build Stem Kits for SAfG events

  • Sponsor STEM supplies for events

  • Support Financially

  • Become a Substitute Teaching Assistant

  • Become a Summer Library Teaching Assistant

Spotlight on Chemistry

Whether you are interested in pharmaceuticals, environmental science, or materials engineering, there are many ways to explore chemistry. This section highlights opportunities for high school students, practical study tips, and inspiring women in STEM who have made significant contributions to chemistry.

Opportunities in Chemistry for High Schoolers

Exploring chemistry outside of the classroom can strengthen problem-solving skills, improve laboratory techniques, and provide insight into career paths. Here are several programs that offer hands-on experience in chemistry.

Stanford’s IFSS Program

The Inspiring Future Scientists Through Shadowing (IFSS) Program at Stanford University offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to shadow graduate researchers in chemistry labs over a two-week period. Participants gain hands-on exposure to cutting-edge research techniques and scientific problem-solving while interacting with Stanford faculty and students.

BU Rise Chemistry Track

The RISE program allows high school students to conduct scientific research in a university setting. The chemistry track focuses on biochemistry, environmental chemistry, and chemical engineering, helping students gain hands-on experience in a research lab.

MIT Women’s Technology Program - Chemistry Track

A summer program designed for high school girls interested in chemistry, engineering, and materials science. Participants engage in college-level coursework, conduct lab experiments, and work on research projects addressing real-world scientific challenges.

Tips for Aspiring Chemists

Chemistry is a subject that requires critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong problem-solving skills. Here are some strategies to help students succeed in chemistry and develop a deeper understanding of the field.

  • Engage in hands-on experiments – Chemistry is best learned through practical application. Simple at-home experiments like extracting DNA from strawberries, testing acids and bases with red cabbage juice, or making non-Newtonian fluids can strengthen foundational knowledge.

  • Develop strong fundamentals – Concepts such as stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and molecular structure form the basis for more advanced chemistry topics. Resources like Khan Academy, CrashCourse Chemistry, and Ptable.com (interactive periodic table) can reinforce learning.

  • Seek mentorship and networking opportunities – Programs like the American Chemical Society’s Project SEED provide research opportunities and mentorship for high school students. Connecting with professionals and students in the field can provide valuable guidance.

  • Make chemistry engaging – Following research developments, watching educational videos, and participating in chemistry clubs or competitions can make learning more enjoyable. Channels like NileRed and The Royal Society of Chemistry present real-world applications of chemistry in an accessible way.

  • Explore real-world applications – Chemistry is used in medicine, environmental science, food technology, and many other fields. Exploring how chemists contribute to solving global challenges can help students find specific areas of interest.

Female Role Models in Chemistry

Many women have contributed significantly to the field of chemistry, despite facing historical barriers to education and research. Their discoveries have led to breakthroughs in medicine, environmental science, and technology.

Marie Curie (1867-1934) – Pioneer of Radioactivity

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win in two different sciences, physics and chemistry. Her discovery of radioactivity paved the way for medical advancements, including X-ray technology and cancer treatments.

Asmeret Asefaw Berhe – Soil Biogeochemist & Climate Scientist

Asmeret Asefaw Berhe studies how soil stores carbon and how climate change affects Earth’s ecosystems. Her research contributes to sustainable agricultural practices and climate change mitigation efforts. She is also an advocate for increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM.

Jennifer Doudna – Pioneer of CRISPR Gene Editing

Jennifer Doudna co-developed CRISPR-Cas9, a groundbreaking gene-editing technology that allows scientists to modify DNA with precision. Her work is being used in gene therapy, cancer research, and biotechnology innovations. CRISPR technology is already in use for treating diseases like sickle cell anemia.

We would love to hear your feedback!

Contact Us:

Email [email protected]

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