Our Mission
The Role Model Initiative aims to address the need of industry to cultivate their future workforce, and the need of youth, particularly girls and populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM, to have role models and mentors in order to pursue STEM education and careers.
Together with the FabFems directory, we are facilitating connections between existing role model programs, women in the San Diego community, and professional development opportunities.
On this webpage you will find links to our surveys and the FabFems directory, opportunities around San Diego to strengthen your skills as a role model, and a list of our pilot programs.
Get Involved
Learn about local STEM mentoring programs looking for volunteer role models.
Professional Development
Find opportunities to learn and grow into your role model role.
Join us for our next training:
STEM Influencer 101
Are you one of the few girls in robotics club? Do you wish there were more girls that went to coding camp? Is physics class dominated by male voices? This training is to help you use your STEM superpowers to encourage other girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math! We'll talk about what makes a good leader, practice new leadership skills, and share local opportunities for you to inspire others.
Note: While the target audience for this training is teenage girls, role models of all ages and genders are welcome to attend!
Partners
These partners have exemplary role model programs in San Diego, working to help youth in San Diego to pursue their academic and career dreams! Find out more by going on their webpage, sign up to be a mentor with them, or get your child involved.
BE WiSE
Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering
BE WiSE invites girls in grades 7 and 8 to Science Overnights to explore their interest in science, hosts events for BE WiSE members in high school to encourage their selection of more courses in science and math, and exposes these girls to adult women scientists who share their knowledge and passion and experiences with science and engineering careers.
They have supported over 500 girls in the past 14 years.
SWENext
Society of Women Engineers
SWENext is a way for K-12 girls to belong in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). SWENexters have access to programs, mentors and resources designed to develop leadership skills and self-confidence to #BeThatEngineer and succeed in engineering and technology careers. While programming focuses on girls, all students are invited to participate. SWENext has over 6,000 students enrolled throughout the world.
SDSU Femineers
The program provides K-12 students with project-based learning, female engineering student mentors, and opportunities to visit a Femineer® affiliate university, while building a sustainable program and community for current and future STEM leaders. They are open to all schools and students K-12.
Currently, they serve over 90 schools and have 3 partner universities.
MANA - Hermanitas
MANA supports young Latina students in middle and high school through their academic journeys and into careers, by providing them with an exclusive and constant one-to-one Hermanitas Mentor – a woman who has walked down similar paths, has a similar life story or faced similar challenges and is now successful, responsible and empowered.
Since 1987, they have served over local 600 Latina women, ages 12-18.
National Girls Collaborative Project
The vision of the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) is to bring together organizations throughout the United States that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They maximize access to shared resources, strengthen the capacity of existing and evolving projects, and leverage their network to create the tipping point for gender equity in STEM.
Resources
Check out these video series of STEM role models talking about their career journeys and skills they learned along the way.
MY ENERGY FUTURE
The Energy Coalition
FACES OF STEM
U.S. Department of Energy
GREEN CAREERS
Energize Schools (SEI)
STEM STORIES
Kearny High School of Digital Media and Design (DMD)
Our Team
The Role Model Initiative was brought forth by the STEM Ecosystem Women in STEM working group. A collaborative grant was written and awarded to The Energy Coalition to sponsor a Climate Corps Fellow that would support the initiative. The 2019-2020 Climate Corps Fellow Patricia Fernandez works closely with the Women in STEM working group and the STEM Ecosystem CPO locally, as well as the National Girls Collaborative Project.
Funded by
