SmartGurlz

SmartGurlz collabs with the Department of Defense

founder @ SmartGurlz

Published on Jan 28, 2021

SmartGurlz Partners with NYU on Department of Defense White Paper for STEM camps targeting military families

We are thrilled to announce that SmartGurlz and New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering have submitted a white paper titled “STEM Using Stories, Technology, Influence, and Robotics (STEMSTIRS) Education Program.” The white paper is being submitted to the Department of Defense’s National Defense Education Program (NDEP) to propose a $3 million program of “education and outreach program to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning for underserved future innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs through inspiration, engagement, and exposure to high-quality hands-on experiences with military communities in Arlington, VA, San Diego CA and New York City






Our program will pair young students, grades 3–5, with high schoolers (as “camp counselors”) and elementary school teachers. Using SmartGurlz coding robots, the project will give students early exposure to fun, hands-on STEM lessons. The high schoolers will also benefit, acquiring leadership and STEM experience. And teachers will gain professional development skills by creating and implementing a new technology-infused STEM curriculum.

The mission of this program – which will sound familiar to supporters of SmartGurlz! – is to provide opportunities especially to girls and under-served minorities to learn robotics and coding in a fun, engaging environment, helping to pave the way for them to pursue careers in STEM fields. The Department of Defense is the largest employer of STEM professionals in the United States, and SmartGurlz and NYU have proposed this program in support of its agenda to sustain a robust pipeline of diverse and inclusive STEM talent.

Thank you to NYU Tandon School of Engineering for this wonderful collaboration!

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