CitySchoolista

Gender inequity in STEM learning presents a formidable challenge for tween and teen girls. Despite targeted STEM afterschool programming, clubs, and initiatives, they endure marginalization within the classroom, stifling their potential. This marginalization takes shape through limited representation, a lack of encouragement, and the persistent influence of stereotypes hindering their engagement and success.

Startling statistics highlight the ongoing underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, with just 28% of the STEM workforce in the United States comprised women (National Girls Collaborative Project). This stark disparity reinforces the prevailing perception of STEM as male-dominated, effectively excluding girls from their rightful place. Moreover, personal accounts and experiences expose the numerous hurdles girls face, including biases, restricted access to resources and opportunities, and societal pressures to conform to traditional gender roles.

Within most educational systems, STEM's definition remains narrow and undermines the significance of intersectional issues, which is pivotal for a comprehensive understanding of STEM's impact. Crucial topics such as social justice, wellness, environmental justice, and other intersectional considerations are consistently overlooked by administrators, curriculum designers, and educators, robbing girls of the chance to explore the broader implications of STEM in tackling real-world challenges.

Moreover, the need for more opportunities for girls to co-create curricula or establish metrics for success exacerbates the inequity they face. By excluding their voices and perspectives, we perpetuate a system that fails to meet their needs and stifles their full potential.

Our solution aims to tackle the gender inequity in STEM learning for tween and teen girls by creating an inclusive and empowering environment. We will develop engaging content, including mini-online courses and a dedicated resource space, to promote holistic well-being, lifelong learning, and a deep appreciation for the world around them. A fellow tween will contribute to a blog to ensure relatability and guidance, offering insights and inspiration for girls to grow confidently, learn, and navigate their unique journey.

Girls can access resources tailored to their learning styles and interests within this vast resource space. The self-paced mini-online courses enable them to explore STEM subjects independently and at their speed. Additionally, lesson-plan companions will provide further support and guidance for teachers and facilitators. By offering flexible learning options and materials, we aim to accommodate diverse learning preferences and empower girls to take ownership of their STEM education.

In addition to academic pursuits, our solution places a strong emphasis on holistic well-being. The resource space will feature content and tools encouraging girls to prioritize their mental, emotional, and physical health. We aim to support girls' overall growth and development by recognizing the interconnectedness of well-being and learning.

We also aim to foster a sense of connection and inspiration by integrating a relatable blog written by a fellow tween. This blog will provide a platform for girls to share experiences, insights, and challenges, allowing them to see themselves reflected in the stories and journeys of others. This relatability and sense of community will enhance their confidence and motivation to pursue STEM fields.

Through this multifaceted approach, we aim to create an inclusive and empowering space where girls can explore, learn, and thrive in STEM. By providing engaging content, self-paced mini-online courses, and resource space that promotes holistic well-being and lifelong learning, we aim to support girls in embracing their unique journey. Ultimately, we aim to equip them with the skills, confidence, and inspiration needed to navigate the world of STEM with enthusiasm and determination.

Our target audience consists of girls aged 10-16 residing in major cities, exposed to vibrant communities, diverse arts, cultures, and numerous opportunities. These girls come from middle-class backgrounds and attend both public and private schools in urban settings.
They are high-achieving individuals who are intensely dedicated to their education and acutely aware of disparities within the classroom. While they possess self-efficacy and agency, they seek greater confidence in dismantling systemic barriers. Our solution provides resources and tools prioritizing their mental, emotional, and physical health. We understand that a balanced and healthy lifestyle is crucial for their long-term engagement and success in STEM.
Beyond individual support, we emphasize the importance of building a strong community among these girls. By fostering connections and facilitating interactions, we create spaces where they can openly share their experiences, insights, and challenges. This sense of community helps combat feelings of isolation and provides a supportive network for encouragement and collaboration.

Our solution promotes autonomy through independent, project-based learning. Girls can cultivate a genuine sense of ownership over their education. Adults utilizing the companion resource platform adopt a "guide on the side" approach, allowing them to empower students in the classroom.

As the founders of the CitySchoolista program, my daughter and I are driven by a shared mission to empower girls and their families to embrace STEM and social consciousness and actively participate in their communities.  I have a background in education and taught STEAM subjects and programs, including my daughter.  I also have extensive training and professional experience in DEI, coaching, trauma and abuse prevention, wellness and yoga, values-based leadership, and environmental civic action. We understand the importance of meaningful conversations and hands-on experiences in fostering lifelong commitments to making a positive impact. Drawing upon our passions for art, culture, inquiry, STEM, and city life, we have curated real-world-inspired activities that spark dialogue and ignite a thirst for knowledge. Through our immersive experiences, we aim to deepen understanding and cultivate a sense of agency among participants. 

We engage with our target audience to understand their specific needs and aspirations. By conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups, we gather insights into their interests, challenges, and desires related to STEM learning. This research informs the development of our solution, ensuring that it is relevant, engaging, and tailored to meet their unique needs. Additionally, we are partnered with STEM and professional development organizations, universities and girls' advocacy groups. 

With a shared commitment to social justice and a collaborative approach to learning and advocacy, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive and empowering space for girls to explore, grow, and make a difference. Our program is not just about teaching; it's about igniting curiosity, nurturing empathy, and cultivating a sense of agency.

We have made significant progress in building and testing our solution so far. We have developed mini-courses, accompanying workbooks, and coaching sessions for parents and educators. Families and educators also participated in group discussions and interactive exercises facilitated by our coaching sessions, which allowed us to gather insights and refine our content and learning experience based on the feedback received.

Their experiences have highlighted the potential impact of our solution in increasing confidence and understanding of STEM concepts, empowering girls, and indicating where we could do more. 
Additionally, we have conducted surveys and interviews with stakeholders to gather further insights and validate the effectiveness of our solution. This comprehensive approach has helped us refine and strengthen our program to meet our target audience's needs better.

While we are encouraged by our progress, we remain humble and committed to continuous improvement. We recognize that there is still more work and challenges to address. We value the input and collaboration of our stakeholders as we strive to create a solution that truly empowers girls in their STEM learning journey.

To successfully launch CitySchoolista and establish it as a leading resource for girls in STEM, we understand the importance of comprehensive support in various areas. Firstly, we recognize the need for technical expertise to ensure a seamless and user-friendly platform that delivers our content and resources effectively. Technical support will help us optimize the website, develop interactive features, and ensure a smooth user experience for our target audience.

In addition, legal guidance is crucial to navigate the complexities of intellectual property, privacy, and compliance. By partnering with legal experts, we can ensure CitySchoolista adheres to all necessary regulations and safeguards, providing our users with a safe and secure environment.
Marketing is vital in distinguishing CitySchoolista and creating widespread awareness of our platform. Access to marketing experts will enable us to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that effectively communicates our mission, benefits, and unique offerings to our target audience. These experts will help us craft compelling messaging, establish brand recognition, and devise marketing campaigns that resonate with our intended users.
Furthermore, the support of experienced business mentors is invaluable in guiding us through launching and scaling CitySchoolista. Their expertise and guidance will assist us in making informed decisions, refining our business model, and implementing effective growth and sustainability strategies. They will provide insights, advice, and practical knowledge to help us navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise along the way.
Lastly, being part of a cohort of peers who are equally committed to promoting gender equality in STEM will provide valuable collaboration and networking opportunities. Collaborating with like-minded individuals who share our mission will allow us to learn from each other, share best practices, and collectively work toward our common goal.
By leveraging the support of marketing experts, business mentors, and a peer cohort, we can amplify the impact of CitySchoolista, and establish our platform as the go-to resource for girls in STEM.

As the team lead of CitySchoolista, I bring a unique perspective and deep connection to the community we serve. As a mother of a tween girl, former educator, and current education consultant, I have a firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by girls in accessing quality STEM education. Living in Philadelphia, I am immersed in a vibrant city known for its rich educational and cultural landscape. Through my professional work, I constantly engage with girls, parents, and educators involved in STEM learning. This ongoing interaction lets me stay informed about the evolving needs and trends in the field and ensures that CitySchoolista remains relevant and responsive to our community. By combining my personal experiences, professional expertise, and community engagement, I can bring a holistic and informed perspective to our project, ensuring that it effectively meets the needs and aspirations of our community's girls, parents, and educators.

Our solution takes a fresh and innovative approach to address the gender inequity in STEM learning for tween and teen girls - we let girls lead. Unlike traditional methods focusing solely on academic content, we provide a comprehensive and holistic approach encompassing engaging content, mini-online courses, and a dedicated resource space promoting holistic well-being and lifelong learning. We take the phrase, "Meet them where they are" and offer instead, "We meet them where they care and want to go, and listen to them as they guide us in best practice to support them". 

What sets our solution apart is its emphasis on girls' needs, interests, and learning styles. Moreover, our solution goes beyond academic pursuits and prioritizes holistic well-being, everyday life, arts and culture, and what it's like being a girl. 
The positive impacts of our solution extend beyond the individuals directly involved. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, we inspire girls to pursue their interests in STEM and become advocates for gender equality in the field. This catalyzes broader positive impacts as girls bring their newfound knowledge, confidence, and passion into their communities, schools, and future careers. By changing the narrative and perception of girls' participation in STEM, we can challenge societal norms and biases, ultimately shifting the entire market towards greater gender equality and inclusivity.

Over the next year, our impact goals for CitySchoolista are to reach and engage at least 100 tween and teen girls in our mini-course membership and 200 girls in our blog membership. We aim for similar numbers of parents and educators who will utilize our resource area and purchase companion lesson plans and coaching events. While our initial goal is to create a community of users who will bring others along, we will also establish strategic partnerships and collaborations with schools, community organizations, and industry leaders to expand our reach and enhance our impact.

Looking ahead to the next five years, our ambitions for CitySchoolista are even more substantial. We aim to scale up our program and reach a broader audience of tween and teen girls in major cities worldwide, making our resources accessible to girls from diverse backgrounds and communities. We aim to foster long-term engagement and sustained interest in STEM among girls, supporting them as they pursue education and careers in these fields. 

Additionally, we aspire to become recognized as a thought leaders and advocate for gender equality in STEM education, influencing policy discussions and actively participating in initiatives addressing the gender gap. We will strive to build a solid and supportive community of CitySchoolista participants, alumni, and mentors, providing ongoing support, networking opportunities, and mentorship to girls as they navigate their STEM journey. We aim to catalyze broader positive impacts through collaboration and partnerships by creating pathways for girls to explore and reimagine themselves with STEM beyond school - entering previously male-dominated fields, starting companies, and spearheading innovations in medicine, technology, sustainability, business, and environmental justice. 

The ripple effect on girls and the education system will further impact programming, who identifies as STEM student, and an influx of girls becoming educators and administrators - making change from within. 

Over the next year, our indicators include reaching and engaging at least 100 tween and teen girls in our mini-course membership and 200 girls in our blog membership. We will track the number of girls participating in our programs, completing the mini-courses, and engaging with our blog content. Additionally, we aim to have a similar number of parents and educators utilizing our resource area, purchasing companion lesson plans, and attending coaching events. We will monitor the adoption and utilization of these resources to assess their effectiveness and value to our users. Furthermore, we will seek feedback and testimonials from our community members to gauge their satisfaction and our programs' impact on their learning experiences.

Looking ahead to the next five years, our indicators become more comprehensive. We will focus on scaling up our program and reaching a broader audience of tween and teen girls in major cities worldwide. Our indicators will include:

• The number of cities and countries where CitySchoolista is active.
• The total number of girls engaged in our programs.
• The diversity of backgrounds and communities represented.

We will also measure long-term engagement by tracking the number of girls who continue their STEM education and pursue careers in STEM fields. To assess our influence as thought leaders and advocates, we will monitor our involvement in policy discussions, initiatives, and collaborations to address the gender gap in STEM education. Additionally, we will track the growth and engagement of our community, including the number of participants, alums, and mentors involved and the extent of ongoing support, networking, and mentorship provided.

In terms of broader positive impacts, we will measure the outcomes of our collaborations and partnerships. We will track the number of girls who enter previously male-dominated fields, start their own companies, and contribute to innovations in various industries. By monitoring our participants' achievements and success stories, we can gauge the extent to which CitySchoolista has catalyzed positive changes and empowered girls to excel in STEM beyond traditional academic settings.

Theory of Change for CitySchoolista:

Inputs:

• Dedicated team leader with expertise in education, coaching, and community engagement.
• Access to a network of resource partners across industries and sectors.
• Tailored content, mini-courses, and a resource area promoting holistic well-being and lifelong learning.
• Collaborative relationships with schools, community organizations, and industry leaders.
• Funding and financial resources to support program development and expansion.

Activities:

• Develop and refine engaging content, mini-courses, and resources that cater to the needs and interests of tween and teen girls in major cities.
• Facilitate coaching sessions and learning modules for parents, educators, and program participants.
• Forge strategic partnerships and collaborations to expand the reach and enhance impact.
• Establish and nurture a supportive CitySchoolista participants, alumni, and mentors community.
• Advocate for gender equality in STEM education and actively participate in initiatives addressing the gender gap.
• Provide ongoing support, networking opportunities, and mentorship to girls as they navigate their STEM journey.

Outputs:

• Engaged and empowered tween and teen girls actively participating in CitySchoolista programs and accessing resources.
• Increased knowledge, skills, and confidence in STEM subjects and social consciousness among program participants.
• Expanded network of parents, educators, and stakeholders utilizing CitySchoolista resources and engaging in coaching sessions and learning modules.
• A growing community of CitySchoolista participants, alumni, and mentors, fostering support, networking, and mentorship opportunities.

Outcomes:

• Increased interest, engagement, and pursuit of STEM education and careers among girls in major cities.
• Improved girls' confidence, self-efficacy, and agency in their STEM learning and personal development.
• Enhanced social consciousness, advocacy, and leadership skills among girls, contributing to positive social change.
• Strengthened collaboration and partnerships with schools, community organizations, and industry leaders, amplifying the impact of CitySchoolista.
• Recognition of CitySchoolista as a leading resource and advocate for gender equality in STEM education.
• Broader positive impacts on society as girls enter previously male-dominated fields, start their own companies and contribute to innovations in various industries.

Overall, CitySchoolista aims to provide tailored resources, foster community support, and empower girls in major cities to confidently explore, learn, and excel in STEM fields, ultimately leading to increased gender equality and positive social change in the STEM landscape.

CitySchoolista is a tech-based initiative that harnesses the power of technology to provide an innovative and accessible learning experience for tween and teen girls interested in STEM. Our online platform offers a range of interactive resources, including mini-courses, exercises, and a supportive community, all easily accessible through our user-friendly website and membership site.

Through our tech-enabled platform, girls can explore STEM subjects independently and independently, engaging with engaging content that caters to their learning styles and interests. We also use technology to connect with parents and educators offering resources, digital downloads, and classroom support materials and professional development/coaching experiences. 

By embracing technology, CitySchoolista expands its reach and ensures that girls from diverse backgrounds and communities can benefit from our resources. Our tech-based approach also enables scalability and the potential for global impact, empowering girls worldwide to pursue their passions in STEM.

2 Part Time

Since FAll 2021

I am 100% in support of a diverse team, product, service, target audience, and community. 

CitySchoolista operates on a hybrid business model, ensuring sustainable impact and revenue generation while providing value to our key customers and beneficiaries. Our primary customers are tween and teen girls seeking girl-centered and real-world city-inspired content and learning.   Our key beneficiaries are the girls, as they gain access to tailored content, support, and a vibrant community fostering their growth and interest in STEM. Another key beneficiary is the educator who wants to find entry points to make the STEM classroom more inclusive and relevant to girls. 

In terms of revenue generation, CitySchoolista employs a multi-pronged approach. We offer paid memberships to access premium content and services, including exclusive mini-courses and personalized coaching sessions. Additionally, we collaborate with strategic partners and industry leaders who align with our mission and values, creating sponsorship and partnership opportunities that contribute to our revenue streams.
Our curated shop, coaching sessions, and guest speaking opportunities further enhance the overall experience for our customers and contribute to our revenue generation. 

In terms of revenue generation, CitySchoolista employs a multi-pronged approach. We offer paid memberships to access premium content and services, such as exclusive mini-courses and personalized coaching sessions. Additionally, we collaborate with strategic partners and industry leaders who align with our mission and values, creating sponsorship and partnership opportunities that contribute to our revenue streams.

In addition to our core offerings, CitySchoolista provides additional value to our customers and beneficiaries through a curated shop and our guest-speaking and curriculum consulting availability. Our curated shop features a range of STEM-related items, from t-shirts and other physical products to digital downloads like planners and experiment guides. This allows our users to further engage with STEM outside the learning materials and showcase their passion for these subjects. The shop provides a convenient source for acquiring STEM-related merchandise and a platform to promote and support STEM-focused creators and businesses.

Please see "Business Model" answer. 

CitySchoolista has secured grants for previous project iterations, enabling us to test, pilot, and improve the program. While still in the prototype stage, we have formed partnerships with local educational organizations and environmental civics programs, providing some funding and collaborative opportunities. As we continue to refine our prototype, we are actively seeking additional funding to support the next phase of piloting and scaling. Although no traditional sales have been made yet, the grants and partnerships have been instrumental in advancing our vision and establishing CitySchoolista as a valuable resource for girls in STEM education.