Techbridge

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"Chevron is proud to partner with Techbridge and support their STEM afterschool programs and support for families and afterschool teachers. Together, we are increasing STEM literacy and learning outcomes by getting students excited about STEM and increasing the capacity of teachers and districts to provide high-quality STEM education."

-- Blair Blackwell, Manager, Education and Corporate Programs, Chevron.

Program Type

Hands on/Project-Based
Informal /Out of School

Target Audience

Females

Location

California
Berkeley
Oakland
San Francisco
District of Columbia
Washington

Grades

Grades 6 - 8
Grades 9 - 12

 Accomplished link

Program Impact

Surveys show that Techbridge gets girls excited about STEM, increases their confidence, and expands their career options. Techbridge leaders believe that, with additional funding over the next three years, they could reach at least 1,000 girls through their afterschool programs, and 25,000 girls nationally through their partnership with Girl Scout councils.

 

Program Overview

The mission of Techbridge is to promote girls' interest and skills in science, technology, and engineering. Techbridge provides multi-faceted programs for girls and supporting resources for teachers, role models, families and partners. Techbridge afterschool programs take place once a week for two hours after school. Each serves 20-25 girls with one program coordinator and one or two teachers.
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The program goals are as follows:

  • Girls will increase their science, technology, and engineering skills through engaging, hands-on projects.
  • Girls will be exposed to expanded career options in the fields of science, technology, and engineering through role models and worksite visits.
  • Girls will pursue studies and careers in science, technology, and engineering.
  • Girls will increase their confidence levels in science, technology, and engineering.

In 2008, Techbridge formally launched Girls Go Techbridge, a partnership with Girl Scout councils, which brings Techbridge curriculum and career resources to Girl Scout councils nationwide. In the pilot, selected councils were in Northern California, Central Texas, Central Maryland and West Central Florida. In 2010, the Noyce Foundation awarded a scale-up grant to expand the partnership to reach 15,000 Girl Scouts over three years.

How To Get Involved

It costs roughly $1,500 per girl to support a new Techbride afterschool site, and about $150 per girl to expand Girls Go Techbridge. Launching the intensive Techbridge afterschool program in a new city can cost between $350,000 and $400,000 for 8 programs that reach 240 girls. Techbridge also seeks volunteers to host girls at their work places, visit afterschool programs, or even help create curriculum. 

Funders and Partners

Funders: Stephen Bechtel Fund, National Science Foundation, Noyce Foundation, Chevron Corporation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Strategic Partners: Girl Scout councils, National Girls Collaborative Project, Society of Women Engineers

Contacts

Linda Kekelis, Executive Director
lkekelis@techbridgegirls.org
510-777-9170

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Design Principles

The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.

  • Accomplished
  • Developing
  • Undeveloped

Overarching Principles

  • Need

    Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.

  • Evaluation

    Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.

  • Sustainability

    Ensure work is sustainable.

  • Replication and Scalability

    Demonstrate replicability and scalability.

  • Partnerships

    Create high impact partnerships

  • Capacity

    Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.

STEM Principles

  • Challenging and Relevant Content

    Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience

  • STEM Practices

    Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.

  • Inspiration

    Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.

  • Under-Represented Groups

    Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.