As part of our anniversary celebrations, we started a nine-month professional development program for early-career professionals interested in gender equity and informal STEM education. We are thrilled to announce our inaugural Anniversary Fellowship Cohort:

This updated NGCP resource presents a high-level summary of the most compelling statistics and research on the state of girls and women in STEM, focused on K-12 Education, Higher Education, and the STEM Workforce. The report highlights the impacts of intersectional inequalities, as Latina, Black, and Indigenous women represent less than 10% of the STEM workforce.

Save the Date for a twitter chat on March 31, 2022 at 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern, co-hosted by NGCP and The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Follow @NGCProject and @GeenaDavisOrg.

Join NGCP and Linda Kekelis of STEM Next as we explore ways to strengthen relationships and build partnerships with families to create equitable and accessible STEAM learning for youth. Family engagement in STEAM can take many forms: STEAM nights, science fairs, and family newsletters. Participants will learn from practitioners and researchers who are working to deepen engagement with youth and their families to intentionally support equity in and access to STEAM opportunities, including strategies, examples, and current research.

Throughout 2022 we will be highlighting the work and passions of NGCP Board Members.

Patricia is the co-founder of the Washington State Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program, serving as an advocate to help build pathways for underrepresented and minority female students in STEM education and careers. She has been involved with NGCP for 20 years. Members of NGCP's Youth Advisory Board interviewed Patricia to learn more about her STEM journey. During the interview, Patricia shared the challenges she encountered as a student and teacher, from being the only woman in her calculus class to the sexism she experienced as one of the few women in the high school science department. Patricia encourages girls to “find a mentor” and “be a mentor”. Read the Youth Advisory Board's blog of the interview.

ITEEA is a professional association focused on the professional development needs of classroom teachers, supervisors, curriculum writers, and teacher educators interested in developing technological literacy. This year's theme is "Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy". Participants can also attend virtually. Register.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in education sessions, inspiring keynote speakers, virtual exhibit hall, personal and professional development seminars and workshops, as well as 2022 scholarship awards, Pioneer Hall of Fame induction celebration, and networking opportunities. Register.

NAA exists to inspire, connect, and equip those who work with and on behalf of children and youth during out-of-school time. This year's convention theme is "In Unity with Community. For Opportunity." Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in networking, workshops, daily keynotes, and an interactive Learning Expo all designed to meet the needs of developing professionals and leaders of afterschool. NGCP is presenting a booth in the Exhibit Hall (shared with Leap into Science) and are giving a presentation about our work with STEM Next Opportunity Fund in support of the Million Girl Moonshot. Register.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand careers. The seminar will include key education policy topics, best practices for influencing federal policy related to CTE advocacy and messaging, and Capitol Hill visits. Participants can also attend virtually. Register.

Connect with a community of professional science communicators via workshops, panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities. Register.

This year's theme is "NSBE48: Inspiring Engineers". NSBE is a few years away from reaching the goal of graduating 10,000 Black engineers annually by 2025. With this goal in mind, the convention will take a holistic approach to developing the next generation of engineers and enhancing the NSBE experience for all. Register.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn new science teaching tools, educator-developed teaching strategies, and try new products and technologies. Core topics include science literacy, equity and inclusion, learning for multilingual learners, effective assessments in the STEM classroom, and systems for expanding STEM participation. Register.

Robotics Week is a series of events and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of the strength and importance of the U.S. robotics industry and of the tremendous social and cultural impact that robotics will have on the future. Search events and discover ways to celebrate robotics through a virtual event or at home.

The National Math Festival, free and open to the public, celebrates the fun, beauty, and power of math through hands-on, interactive activities for youth of all ages, resources for math play at home or in the classroom, and engaging math talks and book readings. Register.

The NAPE Summit brings together administrators, teachers/instructors, counselors, and educational leaders to focus on the work required to identify and remove barriers to access and opportunity; foster equitable learning environments; and increase and support pathways to an equitable workforce. Organized to deliver insights into the latest research and policy considerations, sessions offer best practices, particularly in CTE and STEM pathways. NGCP is presenting a workshop, "Brite Women, Brite Girls: Creating Meaningful STEM Role Model Experiences". Register.

BOOST serves in and out-of-school time educators. Participants will have the opportunity to network, participate in team-building activities, and learn about the latest trends and research in innovative and quality out-of-school-time programming. NGCP is hosting a workshop, "Breaking Down STEM Stereotypes in Afterschool", focused on strengthening afterschool programs’ efforts to provide equitable STEM learning opportunities. Register.

The Connectory showcases STEAM opportunities for youth to families and is a free online collaboration tool for providers to help find partners based on interests and needs.

This month we’re turning the spotlight on the Elfrida Library, which hosts Kids’ Hour events and creates monthly themed “Take & Make Kits” for families. In March, the Arizona library has packaged up two versions of these free grab-and-go kits. The Balancing Acrobat kit includes everything to make a balancing acrobat and explore balance, and the Winter Suncatcher kit has materials to make suncatchers to learn about light and shadow.

The Elfrida Library is part of the nationwide Leap into Science program lead by The Franklin Institute along with NGCP. The program uses children’s books to engage kids ages 3-10 and their families in science and literacy learning.

Get started and stay connected to The Connectory:

Women's History Month: To celebrate, NGCP has included resources to support and encourage girls to pursue careers in STEM.

NCWIT Counselors for Computing in partnership with Department of Defense STEM is hosting a webinar series (March 15 and 23, 2022) for educators, parents/caregivers, and students focused on preparing youth for diverse careers in computing. Participants will gain resources and strategies for engaging youth in computer science experiences and topics, such as machine learning. Learn more.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) strives to recognize the successes of SWENext students and SWENext Clubs doing STEM outreach in their local communities. Youth in grades 8-12 and high school SWENext Clubs are eligible to apply. Application deadline is March 31, 2022. Learn more.

International Women's Day celebrates the social, political, and economic achievements of women while focusing the world's attention on areas requiring further action. This year's theme is “#BreakTheBias.” The theme is a call to action to break the bias in communities, the workplace, schools, and to confront gender bias, discrimination, and stereotyping in daily life. Show solidarity by sharing resources or a photo with crossed arms on social media using #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias.