STEMResearcHER Newsletter: March 2024 Edition

Happy March! Welcome to the second issue of STEMResearcHER’s newsletter!

STEM ResearcHER Newsletter: March 2024 Edition

Happy March! Welcome to the second issue of STEMResearcHER’s newsletter!

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.

STEMStravganza March 23rd

UPDATE: Our STEM Stravaganza event date has been changed from March 23rd to April 20th. 

Our 2024 STEM Stravaganza event will be held at Santa Clara Library on April 20th. It is an opportunity for middle school girls from the Bay Area to explore fields in STEM through hands-on STEM activities and networking! We will have guest speakers, workshops, opportunities to make new friends, and more. You will also receive free swag from our sponsors! Sign up here!

Join the Team!

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!

Upcoming STEM Competitions, Programs, and Events

Competition - Girls International Three-Minute Science Competition

The Girl’s Three Minute Science Competition invites girls and non-binary students aged 12-19 years to share their passion for science through a short video. Winners receive a cash prize.

Eligibility: Female or non-binary folks who are 12-19 years old

Application Deadline: March 15 Apply here.

Summer Program - 2024 Girls Who Code Summer Programs

The Girls Who Code Summer Programs are free for high school girls and non-binary students to learn coding. The Summer Immersion program invites students to learn game design in live virtual classrooms. The Self-Paced program is six weeks long, allowing students to explore tech independently.

Eligibility: 9th-11th grade girls and non-binary students

Application Deadline: March 22 Apply here.

Volunteer Opportunity - UC Berkeley’s Girls in Engineering Counselor in Training Program

Rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders can volunteer to be Counselors in Training for UC Berkeley’s Girls in Engineering Counselor In Training Program. CITS attend the camp for free while supporting staff and campers.

Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders

Application Deadline: March 29th (or when all spots are filled)

Event - SF Young Women in Bio Suturing Event

The Young Women In Bio San Francisco Bay Area Chapter is excited to organize a hands-on workshop designed exclusively for young women interested in exploring the world of medicine and healthcare! If your are a schooler, high schooler, or undergrad that is interested, please register here! Registration is free and closes on March 5, 2024.

Stitching Success - A Suturing Workshop for Future Women in Medicine is being held on March 7th from 6:30-8:30 PM in South San Francisco. Each student will receive their own suturing kit to follow along with as they learn about the skin, wounds and how to suture! The workshop will be led by Dr. Barbara Troupin, a board-certified doctor in Family Medicine. Pliant Therapeutics is generously hosting and sponsoring the event, including providing the suturing kits! 

We hope you can join us for an evening of professional insights, peer connections, and, of course, some delicious pizza!

Register now! Registration is free! After you register your participant, the parent/guardian should also sign this Permission Waiver from our sponsor.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

5 Scholarships and Grants for Girls in STEM

Scholarships for high school students are extremely valuble as they provide financial assistance, recognize achievements, and open doors to opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach. The following scholarships are dedicated for high schoolers pursuing careers in STEM!

National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is offering 10 STEAM scholarships valued at $1,000 each, requiring applicants to submit a 500-800 word essay detailing their motivation to pursue a career in a STEAM field. It is available to all high school seniors intending to major in a STEAM discipline. 

Valentino DiGiorgio STEAM Scholarship

The Valentino DiGiorgio STEAM Scholarship, valued at $1,000 is available to all students in all grades of high school that meet specific criteria, including demonstrating financial need, intent to pursue a STEAM/STEM degree, and maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. 

Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson Scholarship

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) presents the Lockheed Martin Marillyn Hewson Scholarship specifically for female high school seniors with financial need, requiring applicants to submit a 500-1,000 word essay demonstrating a passion for aeronautics and related fields. Successful applicants receive a $10,000 scholarship award.

Generation Google Scholarship (North America)

The Generation Google Scholarship is for current undergraduate and high school students, with a particular focus on those belonging to underrepresented groups in STEM. Recipients of this scholarship are granted $10,000 and are required to showcase their commitment to enhancing minority representation in computer science and technology sectors to qualify.

Microsoft Women Scholarship

The Women at Microsoft scholarship is granted to individuals who exhibit a strong enthusiasm for technology and its potential impact on the world. Recipients of this $5,000 scholarship have the opportunity to renew it annually for up to four years, providing substantial financial assistance toward their tuition expenses. The application requires an essay, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and evidence of their involvement in community engagement activities.

Organization Spotlight

Check out this non-profit working to bridge the gap in STEM education for girls!

Scientific Adventures for Girls

Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG) is a nonprofit organization that delivers after-school programs for TK-6th grade students. Join the Scientific Adventures for Girls STEM Scholar Club! 

The STEM Scholar Club for Girls is designed to ignite and sustain the passion for STEM among middle school and high school girls and gender-expansive youth. This club aims to provide an enriching and enjoyable space that nurtures their STEM interests well into college and their future careers. Sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date on STEM resources, internship and scholarship opportunities, STEM Career Events, and more.

Learn more about how you can support Scientific Adventures’ mission here.

 A computer scientist is a professional who specializes in the design of computer systems and software. Computer scientists work in various fields, including software development, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and more. If you are a middle-high schooler interested in becoming a computer scientist, here are some steps you can take:

  1. Start with the Basics: Gain a solid understanding of fundamental concepts in mathematics, particularly algebra and discrete mathematics, as they form the basis for understanding algorithms and data structures.

  2. Learn Programming: Start learning a programming language such as Python, Java, or C++. There are plenty of online resources, tutorials, and courses available for free or at low cost. Practice coding regularly to improve your skills.

  3. Take Computer Science Courses: If your high school offers computer science courses, take advantage of them. If not, consider online courses or coding clubs where you can learn and collaborate with peers.

  4. Participate in Coding Competitions: Join coding competitions like the American Computer Science League (ACSL), USA Computing Olympiad (USACO), or International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) to challenge yourself and improve your problem-solving skills.

  5. Build Projects: Start working on personal projects or contribute to open-source projects. Building software applications or websites will help you apply what you've learned and showcase your skills to potential colleges or employers.

  6. Explore Different Areas: Computer science is a broad field with many specializations. Take the time to explore different areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, game development, or web development to find what interests you the most.

  7. Seek Internships or Volunteer Opportunities: Look for internships, summer programs, or volunteer opportunities related to computer science. This will give you real-world experience and help you network with professionals in the field.

  8. Stay Updated: Computer science is constantly evolving, so it's essential to stay updated with the latest technologies and trends. Follow tech blogs, attend workshops or conferences, and join online communities to stay connected with the industry.

By following these steps and staying dedicated to learning and improving your skills, you can lay a solid foundation for a successful career in computer science.

We would love to hear your feedback!

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