The primary goal of STEM CONNECTION is to ignite a love for STEM in middle school girls from two Title 1 middle schools (Indian Trail and Oregon Trail) in Olathe, Kansas. To accomplish this, a multi-tiered system of resources and mentorship is utilized to offer highly interactive and engaging STEM Dayz for over 100 sixth grade girls each quarter of the school year, the goal being to continue this offering as the girls progress each year from middle to high school. High school girls from Olathe North High School and Olathe Northwest High School, who are passionate about STEM studies and interested in pursuing post-secondary college and technical programs in STEM fields, lead the STEM Dayz. Additionally, STEM CONNECTION establishes long-term, meaningful relationships between the middle school girls and older females at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels via social networking, STEM outings/field trips, relaxed Meet-and-Greet sessions, and panel discussions. Our vision is to create a self-sustaining mentoring program that will unfold over a period of several years, ultimately reaching hundreds of young girls in Olathe.
