LANSING – The newly announced 2020 Girls program brings together two groups with years of experience developing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs with an emphasis on success for young girls for a great learning opportunity.

The program was graciously awarded a $26,000 grant by the Women’s Leadership Council of the Capital Area United Way (CAUW). This also grows from a strong partnership between the Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC) and the Michigan Council for Women in Technology (MCWT) and will now provide this innovative “girls only” STEM learning program.

“We’re thrilled with the potential of this project and its potential to make a positive impact on the lives of Greater Lansing girls.” said Joan Bauer, Chair of the CAUW Women’s Leadership Council.

2020 Girls will help facilitate a creative space for STEM learning. The hope is to empower the young girls to build a good sense of self.

The 2020 Girls program is structured to provide an opportunity for young girls in mid-Michigan to learn about programming, engineering, and design in classes led by female instructors. There are strengths in having female teachers who can connect to the young girls and also serve as role models.

NPR Studies reveal that often times It’s not income, it’s not your parents’ background, it’s not whether you attend better-funded schools. No, instead, it is the role models in your community. Girls take their cue from their environment, the study said, and it shapes their aspirations. Participants will gain confidence in their STEM abilities while building mentoring relationships with women of exceptional STEM knowledge and professional accomplishment.

“2020 Girls seeks to combat the perception that STEM subjects are inherently for males or somehow off limits to women and girls,” says Kirk Riley, ITEC’s Executive Director. “We’re introducing them to instructors with whom they can identify and activities that capture their imagination.”

The course work for the program is well rounded and will be offered free of charge after school to selected middle-school girls in the Lansing area. This hands-on, creative approach to STEM provides an alternative for students for whom traditional STEM education has not resonated.

The popular LEGO robotics coursework will allow students to learn programming and engineering basics by problem solving with robots. The Science & Art of Game Design, App Design, and even field trips are also part of the curriculum. This experience provides insight, guidance, and support to the girls.

ITEC has been operating since 2008 in Lansing and works with students and families in the region to build coursework and careers in STEM fields. They have impacted the lives of many boys and girls in the area and set an example with existing programs like iMATH that provides enrichment of math skills to young kids through after school tutoring. Kirk Riley Executive Director says the ?programs are growing and expanding every year.?

MCWT works to inspire and support women in Technology fields and is involved with a similar programs like the Girls Exploring Together Information Technology (GET-IT) which is an after-school team activity designed to encourage high school girls to consider and ultimately pursue a career in information technology. Students in the GET-IT girls program receive hands-on exposure to technology to help prepare them for college, strengthening teamwork, problem-solving and organization abilities with their activities of a similar nature.

Both organizations have a history of experience in STEM and have several overlapping goals. It?s easy to tell why these organizations would collaborate in a time where STEM programs are growing in popularity.

For more information about the 2020 Girls Program, please contact Kirk Riley at [email protected] or 517-708-4390.

Associate Editor Nicole Johnson leads MITechNews.Com?s efforts to foster STEM education, as well as provides coverage for her fellow women in computing. If you have a story idea for Nicole, email [email protected]