"Technology companies like Texas Instruments need access to high performing STEM employees, especially women and minorities, to continue to grow and innovate. The physics camps are a proven way to increase the interest of young women in a STEM career by helping them feel confident about their ability to succeed and connect how they can make a difference in society through a technology profession."
-- Trisha Cunningham, Chief Citizenship Officer, Texas Instruments
Accomplished link
Design Create Connect (DCC) has helped increase the number of girls in the Dallas area who are taking and passing the AP Physics exam. At a time when only 20% of physics degrees go to women, the initiative is critical to helping the nation tap the talents of fully half its workforce.
Design Create Connect currently reaches about 100 high school women in the summer. Program leaders have developed a "replication kit" to expand the program to other cities, but they lack the funding to do so. It would cost roughly $30,000 to offer a camp for 30 young women in another city.
Funders and PartnersTexas Instruments, Texas Instruments Foundation, High-Tech High Heels Fund at Dallas Women's Foundation
The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.
Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.
Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.
Ensure work is sustainable.
Demonstrate replicability and scalability.
Create high impact partnerships
Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.
Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience
Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.
Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.
Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.