Organizational Context

Girls Code the World (GCTW) was founded in 2018 with a simple goal: create intentional, hands-on STEM experiences that help girls see themselves as capable, confident participants and leaders in STEM. What began as a single program with the Christina Seix Academy grew into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering programming through schools, community organizations, universities, and other partners. Over the years, GCTW has worked with organizations including HomeFront and the Academy of Natural Sciences and built relationships with university communities including Penn State, Drexel, and Temple. We have historically operated as a small, highly hands-on organization, with our co-founders, Board members, interns, volunteers, and partners all playing meaningful roles in designing and delivering the work.

As we grew, we began asking a different question: how can we make high-quality STEM programming available to more young people? That question led to the development of GCTW’s subscription-based program (SBP), an at-home STEM learning model designed primarily for children ages 8–12. The program combines hands-on materials with digital instruction and is being built with a particular interest in expanding access for families who may have fewer high-quality STEM opportunities locally, including low-income and rural communities. We are currently moving from concept to evidence: developing and piloting lessons, working with Penn State on research and evaluation, testing both live and self-guided learning formats, and building a framework to understand not only whether children enjoy the experience, but whether our curriculum is strong, families can realistically use it, and participation ultimately strengthens girls’ confidence, identity, and pathways in STEM.

This puts GCTW at an important transition point. We are still a lean, largely volunteer-powered nonprofit, but we are intentionally building the foundation for a more sustainable organization. Over the next several years, our priorities include successfully piloting and launching the SBP; strengthening our ability to measure and communicate impact; building a more diversified and reliable funding base; deepening our relationships in Philadelphia, South Jersey, and the broader STEM and youth-development ecosystem; and creating the operating systems and financial capacity that can eventually support dedicated staff. Our Board structure is evolving alongside that strategy: we are looking for Board members who are excited not simply to advise an established organization, but to help build the systems, evidence, relationships, and resources required for GCTW’s next stage of growth.