Our Impact

SAfG helps make transformative, sustainable changes in K-6th grade students’ STEM attitudes, perceptions and behaviors through its Afterschool programs, Library programs, Spring Break and Summer camps and Family STEAM Nights. To continue our support for our graduates, we offer them resources and opportunities through our Scholars Club. 

* Based on data taken from 2015 - current
** Based on data taken from 2020 - current
*** Based on data taken from 2021 - current

The problem

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Women are underrepresented in STEM

  • 15% of engineers are women.

  • 12% of physicists and astronomers are women.

  • 26% of the Computer Science Workforce are women.

Minorities are underrepresented in STEM

  • 5% of the STEM Workforce are women from underrepresented minority groups (African American, Hispanics).

Girls first start to lose interest in STEM fields around the age of 12 and girls report being less interested in STEM careers than boys.

Planning for the future

  • As technology advances, we need women and underrepresented groups in STEM more than ever for their input.

  • There will be 1.4 million computing job openings from 2010-2022 in the U.S.

  • At the rate we are going, only 32 % of these jobs will be filled by U.S. graduates.

  • Women in STEM earn on average 33% more than their non-STEM counterparts.

The SAfG Solution

SAfG is addressing this complex challenge of increasing participation of girls and women in STEM by designing relevant, appropriate curriculum that addresses the major barriers of entry and which aligns with the hiring needs and culture of companies in the STEM industries. SAfG’s programmatic interventions focus on making projects more socially relevant, culturally sensitive and hands-on. SAfG’s programs also acknowledge that a major factor is how girls self-identify with STEM. Therefore, our teachers try to challenge the way girls think about who belongs in STEM and to encourage girls to challenge the stereotypical scientists and engineers portrayed in media - from mad scientists to mean villains to quirky, loner nerds — the majority of whom are men. SAfG targets, untapped, underserved areas of the Bay Area and collaborates with many technology and science companies in the area who are trying to diversify their workforce.

Samples from the "Draw a Scientist" Exercise:

Girls of color in Science
Girls of color in Science
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Girls of color in Science