Building the Next Generation of Girl Leaders in STEM

K-12 STEAM education

South LA West LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Research shows that girls begin to doubt their intelligence as early as age five - a phenomenon known as the "dream gap." For girls in under-resourced communities, this crisis of confidence is compounded by systemic barriers that limit access to support, mentorship and opportunity, especially in STEM fields where women remain underrepresented. Confidence drops by 20% between ages 13-18, affecting their mental health and belief in their futures.
Without safe spaces and early career exposure, girls may become discouraged and limit their potential. Girls Inc. addresses this by providing pro-girl, results-oriented programs that build confidence, life skills, and STEM knowledge and skills through hands-on workshops, mentorship and career exploration that connect girls to industry professionals.
When girls feel seen, supported and challenged, they are more likely to stay engaged in school, envision their futures, and thrive in fields where their voices are needed.

The LA2050 grant will support the expansion of our "Smart"/STEM Unit to new schools and deepen the curriculum at our current partners, equipping more girls with the skills and confidence to pursue futures in STEM. In Fall 2025, Girls Inc. will expand from 8 to 12 schools, including our first-ever high school partnership. This growth will broaden our reach by serving girls along their educational pathway from elementary to middle to high school.
The Smart Unit introduces students to real-world STEM applications through hands-on, mind-on academic enrichment. Students engage in robotics, DNA extraction and genetics, physics, ecosystems and the fundamentals of chemistry. By conducting experiments firsthand and exploring new environments, girls develop curiosity, resilience and critical problem-solving skills. We emphasize learning from failure as key to building confidence in a supportive environment.
LA2050 support will also help increase access to real-world STEM learning and exposure to STEM-related careers. This year, middle school girls took a field trip to the engineering firm Buro Happold, where they met women professionals and worked with engineers to build bridges. Students also participated in an AI Hack-A-Thon with PwC, Deloitte STEM Day and visited the Discovery Cube to deepen their STEM experience.
With this grant, we will have the opportunity to expand our programs to reach 2,000 girls annually through our day and after-school programs, initiatives and events.

Girls Inc. addresses the two main barriers to girls' success in STEM: confidence and access. With the support of our research-based curriculum and real-world experiences, girls are introduced to spaces and opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. By building confidence and creating exposure, we’re shaping a future in Los Angeles County where STEM industries reflect the diversity of our communities; leadership is more inclusive; and income inequality is reduced through pathways to high-paying STEM careers for girls from low-income backgrounds.