St. Louis, MO – Black Girls Do STEM and LitShop have collaborated to empower youth in the St. Louis region. Both non-profit organizations are dedicated to supporting students in STEM education and literacy. Black Girls Do STEM focuses on diversifying innovation and empowering Black girls to achieve equitable representation in all STEM fields. As an educational equity organization working at the intersection of racial and gender equity, Black Girls Do STEM provides hands-on STEM access and learning fostering curiosity and confidence, in a culturally safe space for Black girls across our 6th-12th pathway. LitShop provides afterschool and summer programming that pairs engaging literacy opportunities with building and making for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 10-17. By intentionally creating a supportive space where girls can take risks, explore creatively, build skills, and connect with peers, LitShop fosters leadership and confidence our builders can use through adolescence and early adulthood.
Over the weekend, these two organizations came together to bridge the gap between STEM and literacy. Founder of Black Girls Do STEM, Cynthia Chapple, and Founder of LitShop, Kelli Best-Oliver, led a successful #BGDSTEM experiential learning field trip, which included an enriching visit to LitShop’s Headquarters. Experiential learning field trips are intentionally designed to show girls real-world work environments to learn about careers, and provide opportunities to do STEM in these environments with professionals in the specific industry, aligned with the Black Girls Do STEM program goal of career exploration and occupational awareness.
Black Girls Do STEM has served over 250 girls since its founding in 2019, we currently have 121 girls actively enrolled in our Signature STEM Saturday Academy program. As a result of the hands-on STEM learning designed for specific career pathways, mentoring with Black women in STEM, and our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) content, 100% of our girls report learning about new career fields, increased interest in STEM careers due to exposure, and 4.5/5 for overall engagement and sense of belonging.
LitShop hosted 250 girls and gender-expansive youth in their innovative hands-on workshops and events in 2023 and is slated to host their biggest summer program in 2024. Over 100 youth will gain exposure to and experience with construction careers, architecture, and entrepreneurship while developing confidence, community, and leadership skills through reading, writing, building, and making.
Both organizations are offering volunteer opportunities for individuals interested in making a difference. Black Girls Do STEM is seeking mentors, program facilitators, and committee members who are committed to fostering success and growth in STEM for Black girls.
As we approach GIVESTL Day, both organizations welcome fundraising contributions on what is seen as one of the most impactful fundraising days in the St. Louis Region. This year, LitShop has a goal to raise $5,000, as Black Girls Do STEM aims to raise $10,000 for growth efforts.
About LitShop:
LitShop provides after-school and summer programs that combine engaging literacy activities with hands-on building and making. By creating a supportive environment where girls can explore creatively, take risks, and connect with peers, LitShop nurtures leadership and confidence that can benefit girls through adolescence and into early adulthood. The program encourages girls to work together, share stories, and support each other in achieving their goals.
About Black Girls Do STEM:
Black Girls Do STEM is on a mission to inspire curiosity and provide education, access, and opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics for Black girls in all communities. BGDSTEM fosters cognitive and mental resilience through a culturally unique learning space while promoting a STEM mindset and belief in one’s capabilities. The organization emphasizes scholarship, training, empowerment, and mentorship to instill curiosity, confidence, culture, and community.
To learn more about how to get involved with Black Girls Do STEM, please visit: bgdstem.com/get-involved
For more information about the impactful work of Black Girls Do STEM and LitShop, please contact Winnie Thompson at Media@bgdstem.com.
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