Role Models

"Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday. You can’t be what you can’t see." — Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space

Role Models show young girls that they belong in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers. We invite female identifying STEM and trade professionals to spend an afternoon with our girls to share a bit about you, your STEM path, and your work.

By visiting a class, in person, you:

• connect what they’re learning in their 27 week program to real world jobs

• get them more excited about STEM

• give the girls a chance to meet the amazing women in the Bay Area

• help them see themselves in a STEM career

• inspire girls to learn more and make an impressionable difference in their young lives.

What does an afternoon as a Role Model look like?

Meet with two (three on Weds) classes for 1 hour each afterschool at a school site in the Oakland or Richmond area. For each class:

• Provide a brief introduction of your role/career, and optional show-and-tell with any appropriate items from your work (5-7 min)

• Hold a Q&A session with students (3-5 min)

• Assist with a preplanned STEM project with the girls (45 min). Keep in mind the lesson for the day does NOT need to correlate with your area of expertise.

Interested in learning more or getting started? Send us an email for a list of current openings.

Here's what previous Role Models say about their experience: 

“Seeing the girls in SAfG’s programs realize their own potential reminds me exactly why I fell in love with STEM in the first place. I feel so lucky to share my story with them and help create a space where they feel truly seen and empowered to pursue their own scientific dreams.” - Victoria C.

“Scientific Adventures for Girls’ mission is important to me because I remember what it felt like to walk into an engineering class in college and realize I was the only woman in the room, and I want to make sure that future generations of woman have a seat at the engineering table. I have helped organize an Adopt a Lesson kitting event for my co-workers in addition to being a Role Model, visiting with TK-6th grade girls at a school in Oakland. The girls were very excited to get to try on my hard hat and safety vest. I never met a woman who worked in engineering until I was in college, and I hope these girls meeting engineers at a young age will allow them to see that there is a path for them in science.” - Jen G.