FY 2021 TechGirls Program

Overview

<p>Launched in 2012, the TechGirls program is an intensive, educational youth exchange program designed to empower and support young women (ages 15-17) to pursue higher education and careers in in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields through hands-on skills development.</p> <p>Echoing the goals of the Bureau’s TechWomen program, the TechGirls program supports development in the field of technology and helps young women to reach their full potential in the technology industry. The program builds on the U.S. global commitment to advance the rights of women and girls around the world and promote STEM education. It also fosters sustained connections/networks and mutual understanding among the youth of the United States and participating countries around the globe.</p> <p>The TechGirls program will provide participants who have a demonstrated aptitude and strong interest in STEM fields the opportunity for an in-depth exploration of applied technology through one or two intensive, four-week summer exchange(s) in the United States. Following the exchange(s), the participants will implement required follow-on service projects in their home communities to further the overall impact of the program. Follow-on projects should be participant-driven.</p> <p>The goals of the program are to:</p> <ol> <li> Provide a program for in-depth exploration applied technology for young women (ages 15- 17) who already have a demonstrated aptitude and strong interest in STEM;</li> <li>Empower and encourage participants to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields;</li> <li>Build participants’ understanding of technology’s integral relationship with the professional world;</li> <li>Develop participants’ technical skills in current technologies that are relevant and adaptable to the participants’ home countries;</li> <li>Connect and support the next generation of women who share interests and abilities;</li> <li>Promote problem-solving and critical thinking;</li> <li>Build participants’ self-confidence;</li> <li>Equip participants with leadership skills to influence positive change in their communities;</li> <li>Encourage and support the development of meaningful cross-regional relationships and friendships;</li> <li>Foster connections and deepen trust and mutual understanding among the youth of the United States and participating countries around the world, creating greater potential for future collaboration and networks between Americans and overseas counterparts.</li> </ol>