Our Mission

To remove systemic barriers to all girls’ participation in STEM starting in transitional kindergarten, engage them through hands-on learning, increase their positive attitudes toward STEM, and equip them with 21st century skills.

Our Vision

SAfG envisions a more gender equitable society where women pursue and choose careers that provide them more economic freedom and opportunities to advance society.

10k+

children and families served

SAfG primarily serves girls and girl-identifying youth in transitional kindergarten through 6th grades. But also has a number of co-ed programs.

The Problem

Women, especially minorities, are underrepresented in STEM fields: Women represented only 16.7% of individuals in engineering and 26% of computer or math scientists.

• Women make up a quarter or fewer of workers in computing and engineering, that % is even lower for BIPOC women.

• Women are losing out on higher-paying STEM opportunities: The median pay for STEM occupations ($103,580 in 2024) is nearly 2× higher than the $48,000 median for non-STEM jobs (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• Two out of three US women say they were not encouraged to pursue a STEM career.

• Between 2023 - 2033, STEM jobs will grow 10.4%, a higher rate than non-STEM jobs. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• Women are needed in STEM fields to make better products and services:  “Diverse thinking drives innovation. The more people in the room who think differently, the better the end product and the bottom line.” Carin Taylor, Chief Diversity Officer, Workday.

• Girls start to lose interest in STEM early: Studies have found that girls in kindergarten are already forming negative views about science casting a shadow across their entire educational careers.  Most STEM programs in the Bay Area start in middle or high school.

Planning for the Future

• As technology tackles increasingly complex challenges, a variety of perspectives is essential. Bringing in insights from women and underrepresented communities leads to more inclusive product designs, enhances ethical frameworks, and broadens research innovation.

• There will be 3.6 million computing job openings from 2025-2035 in the U.S.

• At the rate we are going, only 18% of these jobs will be filled by U.S. graduates.

• Despite earning less than men in general, women in STEM earn about 33% more than comparable women in non-STEM roles.

The SAfG Solution

These complex problems require a multifaceted approach:

• starting STEM early

• creating welcoming nurturing learning environments

• using methods to attract girls 

• bringing STEM directly to all girls

• introducing girls to women in STEM who look like them

• engaging the entire STEM community to address these problems

So SAfG:

• creates developmentally appropriate out-of-school time programs accessible to girls (especially BIPOC girls of diverse ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds) and engages TK-6th girls in STEM content.

• develops age-appropriate programs which blend social and emotional learning with STEM.

• designs culturally sensitive, real world curriculum appropriate and appealing for girls different ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, including translating materials into Spanish and educating and engaging their parents.

• incorporates female and BIPOC STEM role models in order to provide an environment that promotes diversity and opportunity in STEM.

• partners with all stakeholders (industry, NGOs Government) in the STEM Ecosystem to increase impact and reach.

• ensures all programs build gender equity and a strong foundation for STEM careers through the collective insights, experience and perspectives of a diverse Board of Directors, Leaders, Staff and Industry Partners.

Samples from the "Draw a Scientist" Exercise: