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The Future of Black Women Leaders in STEM

Invest in black girls and women in STEM through our career readiness and educational enrichment program.

$282
pledged of$7,000 goal
7
0Days Left

Project Description

Our mission is to provide black girls from the Greater Boston area with the tools, resources and knowledge to become the next generation of STEM leaders.

A Vicious Cycle 

There is a dire need to increase STEM diversity within major corporations and industries that have innovation platforms. It is projected that more than 9 million STEM jobs will be available between 2012-2022. However, according to the U.S. News/Raytheon STEM Index, despite the increase of STEM jobs in the United States, the education-to-employment pipeline is not producing nor investing in enough talent to meet the future employment needs of the United States.

 

The STEM Pledge 

Obama made a pledge in 2011 to have STEM be the main focus in educational attainment, providing over $850 billion dollars to STEM learning while making an initiative to hire at least 1 million STEM workers by 2022.  Still, it has become increasingly clear that recruiting more women and minorities is essential for continued growth and creativity in these innovative platforms. 

Boston public schools provide resources to more than 56,000 students in 125 schools. More than half are female high school students who are more likely than students nationally to be interested in STEM.  With this in mind, our intended audience is a Boston public school student in their 11th grade year willing to make a 4-year commitment to the program and who have a 2.0 GPA or higher in their math and science classes. Most importantly, they have to be passionate about STEM.

 

sySTEMic flow's Pillar of Success Model 

STEM careers provide exciting opportunities for breaking the norm and offering upward mobility and economic security to women and minorities. At sySTEMic Flow, we plan to expose Black women in Boston to the opportunities STEM offers while they are in high school and throughout college. SySTEMic Flow aims to empower women of color to purse degrees in STEM while helping them confront a variety of challenging interactions and experiences they will face in this industry. SySTEMic Flow’s enrichment classes and skills-focused seminars tackle both academic and social aptitude so our students can utilize these competencies outside of the classroom setting. 

 

 

sySTEMic flow’s long-term impact is to increase STEM diversity and have women of color be the forefront leaders in these industries and improve economic opportunities for minority women. The program serves to supplement girls with access to prerequisite courses in their STEM track and connect them with other leaders in the field. This program will give our students the educational tools that will open doors to collegiate and employment opportunities in the STEM field.

 

Help fund our pilot program

Starting in November 2018, sySTEMic flow will launch its pilot phase with 5-7 Boston public high school female students every Saturday from 10:00am-12:30pm. This program will run until June 15 for a total of 22 weeks. The estimated operational cost of the pilot program is $25,000. The pilot program is free to all students and features a reduced program structure that will be implemented for three years before increasing organizational capacity as a nonprofit organization. This will help us to gather data on the efficacy of our theory of change model and identify and improve the strengths and challenges of the program. 

During the first several months of our program, we will provide students with an overview of mathematical concepts and topics they need to know and understand before we begin the Calculus I course. We will do this by evaluating our students’ math level using an assessment tool developed by our organization. This will help us determine which topics/concepts in Algebra, Trigonometry and Pre-calculus to review with our students. Then, students will move into Calculus I where they will utilize math programs such as MATLAB and Java, which are commonly used at universities. Throughout this time, students will apply for internship opportunities/summer programs to combine what they’ve learned in the classroom with projects at research labs or corporations. Throughout the program year, sySTEMic flow will host socio-emotional and career development workshops with professional women in the STEM field, which will also be opened to the Boston community.

 

The sySTEMic Team! 

Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of sySTEMic Flow. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop. Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members.

 

 

References

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

  • Are you a Nonprofit Organization?
    • We are aiming to be incorporated by the end of 2019. We are piloting this program to see how much interest there is and if we can prove our theory of change model. 
  • Is there a cost to the program (i.e., tuition) for students?
    • No, the program is free for students! We are running this crowdfunding campaign to support the operational costs of our pilot program/start up year. 
  • What is the student age/grade requirement to apply?
    • Students who are interested in the program have to be a Boston public high school student, identify as a minority woman and is either in the 11th or 12th grade. 
  • When will I receive the rewards?
    • The rewards will be distributed at the end of the campaign. We thank you for being patient with us!
  • If I have any questions, who should I contact?

 

Kate Anderson
12/06/2018
Monetary Contribution
$2
Elizabeth Keeffe
11/25/2018
Gratitude
$25
Jessica Sanon
11/17/2018
Social Recognition
$50
Hiroko
11/17/2018
Gratitude
$30
Lisa
11/16/2018
Social Recognition
$50
Lawrence Bailis and Susan Shevitz
11/14/2018
Let's Get Personal
$100
11/14/2018
Gratitude
$25
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

Whether it is through sharing this crowdfunding post or visiting our page, thank you for supporting our mission to expose, educate and empower black girls in STEM. Your contribution will help us serve more kids, families, and educators within this industry. 

499 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Gratitude

If we have not said this already, THANK YOU for your support! With this contribution, you will be added to the sySTEMic flow newsletter to get monthly updates and information on STEM-related events 

247 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Social Recognition

We want the world to read about the contribution you made through a personalized post on our facebook or linkedin page.  

  • Added to the sySTEMic flow newsletter to get monthly updates and information on STEM-related events 
198 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Let's Get Personal

Yes, we still write handwritten thank you notes! With a note, you will also receive a certificate of appreciate that you can hang on your office wall. In addition to this, you will:

  • Receive social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
149 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Morning Inspiration

I am a coffee lover and you must be too if you decided to support us as a Morning Inspirer. Because of that, we decided to give you a sySTEMic flow coffee mug to show how thankful we are of your support. In addition to this, you will: 

  • Get a handwritten thank you note and Certificate of Appreciation 
  • Receive social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
100 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
The Red Carpet Experience

Want to know what it is like to be a sySTEMic flower? Worry not. With your new sySTEMic flow t-shirt, you will know what it is like to have your greatness amplified by our organization. In addition to this, you will: 

  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and Certificate of appreciation 
  • Get Social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
150 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
The Community Partnership Award

We love that you want to be a partner and deserve an award! By becoming a partner, you will be able to host a STEM- related workshop/event with our students. All marketing materials related to the event will have your name on it. In addition to this, you will: 

  • Receive a sySTEMic flow t-shirt 
  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and certificate of appreciation 
  • Get social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
50 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Student Sponsor

Important Person Alert! By donating $2,500, you are sponsoring the participation of 1 student in our program! Even though this program is free to students, you are alleviating the operational cost of hosting a student. For that, you will be listed as one of our sponsors on our website and marketing materials. In addition to this, you will: 

  • Receive a USB drive 
  • Get a sySTEMic flow t-shirt
  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and certificate of appreciation 
  • Get social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
30 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
STEM Provider

Can we say student sponsor times two? Or student sponsor and STEM material/equipment savior?  Your options to support is unlimited with this contribution. As such, you deserve a sySTEMic pin! In addition to this, you will:

  • Brand recognition as a sponsor 
  • Receive a USB drive 
  • Get a sySTEMic flow t-shirt
  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and certificate of appreciation 
  • Get social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
sySTEMic Super Star

The Golden Ticket!

You have officially become a sponsor partner. You can achieve specific marketing or philanthropic goals while helping us achieve our mission of transforming STEM learning for young black girls during our throughout our pilot program. 

In addition to this, you will receive 

  • sySTEMic flow tote bag
  • Brand recognition as a sponsor 
  • Receive a USB drive 
  • Get a sySTEMic flow t-shirt
  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and certificate of appreciation 
  • Get social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
10 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Boston, MA
Created 2 Campaigns
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

Whether it is through sharing this crowdfunding post or visiting our page, thank you for supporting our mission to expose, educate and empower black girls in STEM. Your contribution will help us serve more kids, families, and educators within this industry. 

499 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Gratitude

If we have not said this already, THANK YOU for your support! With this contribution, you will be added to the sySTEMic flow newsletter to get monthly updates and information on STEM-related events 

247 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Social Recognition

We want the world to read about the contribution you made through a personalized post on our facebook or linkedin page.  

  • Added to the sySTEMic flow newsletter to get monthly updates and information on STEM-related events 
198 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Let's Get Personal

Yes, we still write handwritten thank you notes! With a note, you will also receive a certificate of appreciate that you can hang on your office wall. In addition to this, you will:

  • Receive social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
149 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Morning Inspiration

I am a coffee lover and you must be too if you decided to support us as a Morning Inspirer. Because of that, we decided to give you a sySTEMic flow coffee mug to show how thankful we are of your support. In addition to this, you will: 

  • Get a handwritten thank you note and Certificate of Appreciation 
  • Receive social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
100 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
The Red Carpet Experience

Want to know what it is like to be a sySTEMic flower? Worry not. With your new sySTEMic flow t-shirt, you will know what it is like to have your greatness amplified by our organization. In addition to this, you will: 

  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and Certificate of appreciation 
  • Get Social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
150 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
The Community Partnership Award

We love that you want to be a partner and deserve an award! By becoming a partner, you will be able to host a STEM- related workshop/event with our students. All marketing materials related to the event will have your name on it. In addition to this, you will: 

  • Receive a sySTEMic flow t-shirt 
  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and certificate of appreciation 
  • Get social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
50 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Student Sponsor

Important Person Alert! By donating $2,500, you are sponsoring the participation of 1 student in our program! Even though this program is free to students, you are alleviating the operational cost of hosting a student. For that, you will be listed as one of our sponsors on our website and marketing materials. In addition to this, you will: 

  • Receive a USB drive 
  • Get a sySTEMic flow t-shirt
  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and certificate of appreciation 
  • Get social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
30 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
STEM Provider

Can we say student sponsor times two? Or student sponsor and STEM material/equipment savior?  Your options to support is unlimited with this contribution. As such, you deserve a sySTEMic pin! In addition to this, you will:

  • Brand recognition as a sponsor 
  • Receive a USB drive 
  • Get a sySTEMic flow t-shirt
  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and certificate of appreciation 
  • Get social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
20 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
sySTEMic Super Star

The Golden Ticket!

You have officially become a sponsor partner. You can achieve specific marketing or philanthropic goals while helping us achieve our mission of transforming STEM learning for young black girls during our throughout our pilot program. 

In addition to this, you will receive 

  • sySTEMic flow tote bag
  • Brand recognition as a sponsor 
  • Receive a USB drive 
  • Get a sySTEMic flow t-shirt
  • Get a morning inspiration coffee mug
  • Receive a thank you note and certificate of appreciation 
  • Get social recognition on Facebook or Linkedin 
  • Be added to our monthly newsletter 
10 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward