Role Models, Mentors & Families
The Million Girls Moonshot believes that role models, mentors, and family engagement in a young person’s STEM education leads to increased interest, greater self-confidence, and ultimately a stronger STEM identity.
Developing a science-related identity increases the likelihood that students will work toward developing science literacy, or even pursue a career in a science or STEM-related field. Conversely, when a young person lacks a STEM identity, this increases the chance for disengagement and makes it less likely for them to pursue STEM-related activities in the future.
For these reasons, the Moonshot partners with The National Girls Collaborative Project, IF/THEN Collection, the Geena Davis Institute, and many others to connect program providers to role models and mentors and to engage families.
Below, find articles, resources, toolkits and videos to increase family engagement and access to role models and mentors for the youth you serve.
Resources
Toolkit: Creating Connections with Role Models: The Power of Collaboration
From Techbridge Girls, in collaboration with The National Girls Collaborative Project, this guide is intended to support leader with the recruitment and preparation of role models to inspire girls in science, technology, and engineering. This is an outline with Techbridge’s “recipe for success” for role models, while encouraging you to make changes that best fit your needs.
IF/THEN Collection
Free, downloadable resources for afterschool and summer programs to share inspiring stories, images and more about women working in STEM.
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Mentoring 2023: Access Your Superpower and Make the Million Girls Moonshot a Reality
A blog from family engagement expert, Linda Kekelis, and STEM Next deputy director, Teresa Drew, with six ideas for mentors to help youth build social capital for their futures.
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Podcast: STEM Role Models
A podcast exploring why STEM role models are important for young people.
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Role Models Matter & Mentoring Works!
The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity believes that one of the most effective ways to encourage students to consider nontraditional careers is to introduce them to diverse role models, particularly role models. This webpage serves as a resource for educators seeking STEM role models and mentors for their students.
Role Models Matter™
Virtual training program developed by Techbridge Girls to help role models develop the skills to best engage girls from marginalized communities.
According to Million Girls Moonshot partner, Techbridge Girls, 93% of program participants say, “field trips and role models made them more interested in working in technology, science, or engineering.
Find Volunteers for Your Program
STEM Next’s Million Girls Moonshot wants to connect you with powerful role models working in STEM to inspire your students.
Role Model Profile Videos
Incorporating videos from diverse STEM role models into your afterschool program is a quick way to expose students to role models. Pair your engineering activity with a video from Rachel Gitajn, a bicycle engineer, or Tejal Desai, a biomedical engineer, so students can begin making connections between afterschool, the real-world, and career.
Million Women Mentors
The Family Engagement Project
Research shows that parents are one of the biggest influences on youth interest and persistence in STEM. Yet, with few exceptions, when it comes to leveraging family engagement for youth success in informal STEM, there is a disconnect between research and practice. STEM Next believes that family engagement has the potential to change the entire field when it is a core element of programming and funding.
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For practitioners and out-of-school field leaders to empower families in STEM. Download Here
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A planning tool to support programs in uplifting and empowering all youth and families in STEM. Download Here.
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A collection of bright spots, opportunities, challenges and lessons learned throughout the Family Engagement Project. Download Here.
SciGirls Family Guide for Engaging Girls in STEM
The guide is designed to spark a curiosity for STEM in girls through activities that promote knowledge and discovery. This guide shares strategies and tips to support families in their encouragement of girls to pursue STEM.