Program Overview
The STEM Education Hub is the foundation of GLT’s mission to inspire and prepare young women for the future. Through interactive workshops, project-based learning, and exposure to industry experts, students gain critical STEM skills and discover diverse career opportunities beyond traditional roles.
Our Vision
At Girlz Love Tech, we envision a world where every student, regardless of background, has access to the tools, guidance, and inspiration needed to thrive in STEM. Through this pilot, we’re creating an inclusive environment that not only empowers young women to dream big in STEM but also supports essential literacy skills that form the foundation of academic success. This program aligns with our mission to foster equity in STEM and literacy, shaping a future where every student has the chance to succeed and make an impact.
The Tech Lab
Access Program:
Empowering Students,
One Mentor at a Time
Program Overview
Empowering the Next Generation Through STEM Innovation
Hands-on AI, IoT, and Web Development Workshops Designed for Impact
✅ Sign Up for the STEM Workshop
✅ Sponsor a student
✅ Become a Mentor
Why It Matters
Why STEM Access Matters
Lack of access to STEM education prevents students from entering high-growth careers.
Underrepresented students face barriers in AI, IoT, and software development fields.
This hands-on program provides real-world skills that create opportunities.
📌 Data-driven Key Impact Stats (Use engaging visuals)
✅ 85% of students continue STEM education or careers
✅ 300+ mentor-mentee connections built
✅ 200+ scholarships and internships facilitated
✅ 9 JC Public High Schools participating
6 Week Workshop
This will be a life changing experience for our community.
1-Day Executive Leadership Coaching Workshop
Program Benefits
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Hands-On Leadership Projects: Students engage in project-based leadership exercises, such as team-building simulations and problem-solving challenges, to develop essential leadership skills in real-time.
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Confidence and Presence Building Activities: Through interactive workshops, students work on individual and group presentations that enhance their executive presence and public speaking abilities. These projects build confidence, empowering young women of color to articulate their ideas and lead with impact.
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Exploring STEM Career Paths through Practical Scenarios: Participants tackle real-world STEM scenarios and case studies to gain insights into diverse career opportunities. By working on projects that simulate roles in tech, students better understand the skills and pathways available to them.
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Community and Representation Projects: Students collaborate on group projects that foster networking and community-building, such as creating “vision boards” of career aspirations and setting personal goals. This helps build a support network and a sense of belonging among peers and mentors.
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Real-World Skills Development through Project-Based Tasks: Each student is assigned a project—such as managing a mock campaign, leading a small team exercise, or developing a strategic plan to practice time management, goal setting, and resilience. This hands-on approach reinforces life skills essential for their academic and career journeys.
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Mentorship-Driven Assignments: Students receive feedback on their projects from GLT mentors, who guide them through exercises and help them reflect on lessons learned. Mentorship-driven assignments provide students with constructive insights and personalized support from relatable role models.
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Customized Content for Relevance and Impact: Each project is tailored to address the unique needs of high school and college women of color. For example, projects may focus on overcoming industry-specific challenges or setting academic and career goals, making each activity both meaningful and impactful.
Tech Lab Access
You Can’t Be What You Can’t See
Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for young people in STEM. Let’s make STEM accessible, inspiring, and achievable for every student.
Why it Matters
In underserved communities like Benton Harbor, students face significant barriers that impact their academic and career potential.
The Tech Lab Access Program is designed to address these challenges and open doors to new opportunities.
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Low Graduation Rates: Graduation rates at Benton Harbor High School are alarmingly low, with only 55% of seniors graduating in 2023, down from 64% in 2022. By engaging students with hands-on STEM learning and career pathways, the Tech Lab Access Program aims to boost academic interest and commitment, supporting students to complete their education.
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Literacy and Math Proficiency: Foundational academic skills are a significant challenge for many students in Benton Harbor. In the 2022-23 school year, 93% of 3rd graders did not meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts, and 94 out of 97 4th graders did not meet standards in math. Literacy is essential for success in STEM and beyond. By integrating literacy development into STEM activities, the Tech Lab Access Program supports academic growth and builds a foundation for future success.
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Lack of College Readiness: In the 2022-23 school year, nearly all high school students taking the SAT were not considered "college ready". This lack of preparedness limits students’ post-secondary options and future career opportunities. The Tech Lab Access Program not only builds essential academic skills but also connects students to high-impact careers with local companies like Whirlpool and Lakeland and offers exposure to higher education pathways, including HBCUs.
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Financial Stability and Opportunity for Investment: While Benton Harbor Area Schools now reports a positive financial position with over $18 million in fund balance after overcoming significant debt, sustained improvement in student outcomes will rely on dedicated investments from nonprofits, grants, and community partnerships. The Tech Lab Access Program leverages these external resources to provide students in underserved areas with meaningful opportunities in STEM, role models, and career exploration—support that is essential to bridging gaps in educational access and achievement.
This holistic approach to STEM and literacy empowers students to overcome obstacles, envision broader career possibilities, and gain the skills they need to succeed. The Tech Lab Access Program aims to inspire a generation of confident, capable young people ready to lead in STEM fields and beyond.
Inspiring the
Next Generation
Through STEM Exposure
This pilot phase of the Tech Lab Access Program is a data-driven effort designed to illustrate the value of dedicated tech labs in underserved communities. My interest in creating a tech lab began last school year when my team and I met with the Principal, CTE directors, CTE teachers, and students at Benton Harbor High School (MI). We initiated discussions to gather requirements for the lab; however, we faced challenges in moving forward due to a lack of data to support the initiative and ultimately could not complete the application.
During my recent visit to the CTE robotics class, I was again inspired by the students' energy and curiosity—they truly represent the next generation of hope. Yet, several critical gaps remain: limited exposure to high-impact careers, a lack of STEM role models, and insufficient literacy support. Now, we are revisiting this initiative with a stronger foundation, approaching it from a mentorship-focused perspective to bridge these gaps through role models, skill-building, and targeted literacy support. This pilot will provide the necessary data to demonstrate the transformative impact of a dedicated tech lab, paving the way for future development and expansion.
Our Approach - Through this pilot, we aim to:
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Assess Academic Impact: Track improvements in STEM and literacy skills, providing data on the lab’s educational benefits.
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Build Engagement and Confidence: Evaluate how hands-on STEM experiences boost student confidence and foster a love for learning.
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Support Career Exploration: Expose students to diverse STEM careers, including high-impact paths with Fortune 500 companies and higher education options like HBCUs.
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Identify Resource Needs: Gather insights from students and educators to enhance STEM learning with the right tools and support.
By piloting this approach, we’re delivering essential STEM and literacy opportunities to students while building a foundation for future expansion. Our goal is to inspire students in underserved communities to thrive in STEM, equipped with the knowledge, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed.
Program Benefits
The Tech Lab Access Program Pilot is built around four core pillars, each designed to create meaningful and measurable impact:
1. Build Foundational STEM Skills
Introduce students to essential STEM areas such as coding, engineering, data science, and robotics—through hands-on projects that deepen their understanding and spark curiosity. This foundational knowledge prepares them for future academic and career success.
2. Prepare for College and Careers
Equip students with skills and experiences that give them a head start in pursuing higher education and career pathways in STEM, expanding their options beyond traditional, trade-based roles. Through career exploration and exposure to diverse fields, students gain insights into high-impact career possibilities.
3. Increase School Engagement
Create a dynamic, relevant learning environment that motivates students to attend, learn, and grow, leading to improved school engagement, attendance, and academic involvement. This program aims to increase student enthusiasm and commitment to their education.
4. Foster Mentorship and Career Development
Connect students with mentors and role models in STEM who provide guidance, inspire career exploration, and support educational and professional pathways. Real-world experiences, like job shadowing and on-the-job training days, offer students valuable insights into STEM careers, helping them envision a future in these fields.
Give Back to Your Community:
Share Your Tiger Pride:
Inspire the Next Generation
Are you a successful professional with roots in Benton Harbor? Whether you’re an alum or someone with ties to our community, we invite you to inspire the next generation of students by sharing your journey. Your story and expertise can make a lasting impact on students who need role models in STEM, literacy, and career development.
Join us for a “Day in the Life” Experience
Spend a day with us—either in-person or virtually—providing students with a glimpse into your career and the opportunities available to them. Through hands-on activities, career discussions, or job-shadowing sessions, you’ll help students connect classroom learning to real-world possibilities. Your experience could be the spark that ignites a student’s future.
How You Can Make a Difference
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Career Talks: Share your career path, challenges, and successes to inspire students to envision their own possibilities.
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Hands-On Sessions: Lead a workshop or activity in your area of expertise, showing students what it’s like to work in your field.
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Mentorship and Q&A: Offer guidance on academic and career planning, answering students' questions and providing advice on overcoming obstacles.
Interested in Doing More?
Please complete the form below to get started and make a meaningful difference in students' lives.
