Building Momentum: GCTW's Summer 2026 Update
In this newsletter:
Partner Spotlight: Penn State University Collaboration
Upcoming Events & Conferences
Scholarships to Apply For
College Tips & Resources
Partner Spotlight: Penn State University Collaboration
As part of our subscription-based program, Girls Code the World has been working closely with students and researchers from Penn State University to help develop engaging STEM curriculum and support research around scaling educational programs for younger learners.
We recently asked one of our Penn State collaborators, Silas, to reflect on the partnership and what they’ve learned through the experience.
What has been your favorite part about working with Girls Code the World so far?
“I have really enjoyed engaging with science communication. It’s been very rewarding to see how thoughtful curriculum design can foster creativity and encourage hands-on learning for young students.”
What is something you’ve learned about the challenges of working in a nonprofit?
“The biggest lesson has been seeing the level of coordination required behind the scenes. Girls Code the World has so many moving parts in the background, and consistent communication is what keeps us aligned as a team. This has been extremely useful in translating our research at Penn State into digestible, engaging curriculum for the subscription program.”
What is something you’ve learned about education and working with younger age groups?
“I’ve learned that relatability is a very powerful tool in education. Connecting complex concepts to student experiences is a valuable tool in increasing engagement. For example, when teaching wave propagation in solids, we can compare it to a ‘wave’ in a sports stadium. Each person in the wave simply stands up and sits back down, but the wave motion travels across the stadium. This helps students visualize how energy moves through a solid even though the individual molecules stay in place.”
We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with Penn State and excited to continue building thoughtful, research-backed STEM learning experiences together.
Board Member Spotlight: Mina Shokoufandeh, Co-Founder & Co-President 🌟
If you've ever wondered how Girls Code the World came to be, the answer starts with two high school juniors at The Pennington School in New Jersey who looked around and noticed something missing.
Mina Shokoufandeh grew up watching her mother - a family practice physician -navigate a career in science with confidence and purpose. She knew not every girl had that kind of role model at home. So in 2018, she and co-founder Sydney Gibbard decided to do something about it.
What began as a conversation became a nonprofit. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Mina and Sydney spent their entire summer incorporating as a nonprofit, building a board of directors, launching a website, and running virtual STEM programs for girls aged 8–12 - all while managing college coursework at Tufts University and Penn State respectively.
Mina earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Biomedical Sciences from Tufts University and later completed her Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. She is now pursuing her PhD in Bioengineering at Northeastern University, where she conducts research in the Rouhanifard Lab. Her work focuses on RNA biology, translational regulation, and emerging biomedical technologies.
Alongside her academic work, Mina has held research roles at institutions including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Tufts University’s Kaplan Lab, and Ascidian Therapeutics. She also previously worked as a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), bringing hands-on clinical experience into her broader passion for healthcare and science.
Outside of research, Mina continues to mentor young women through organizations like Science Club for Girls in the Boston area - because for her, empowering girls in STEM has never been just a title. It’s a practice.
Today, as Co-President of Girls Code the World, Mina continues to shape the organization’s mission, mentor interns, and help expand access to STEM education for girls everywhere. She remains deeply committed to ensuring the next generation of young women see themselves not only entering STEM fields, but leading them.
Want to connect with Mina or learn more about our leadership team? Visit girlscodetheworld.org/our-team.
Upcoming Events & Conferences
Tufts Pre-College Engineering & CS Programs 📍 Tufts University, Medford, MA | Summer 2026 (Applications close May 1, 2026) Hands-on pre-college programs in engineering and computer science designed for high school students looking to get a head start before college. Build real technical skills, explore different STEM disciplines, and experience life on a university campus. 👉 Apply here
Women in Tech Connect NYC 2026 📍 In-Person Event, New York, NY | May 14, 2026 A flagship in-person networking event hosted by WomenTech Network as part of their Global Conference. Brings together women in tech, industry leaders, mentors, and companies advancing diversity in technology. Perfect for college students and early-career women looking to build connections and explore opportunities in the tech industry. 👉 Learn more & register
B-WISER Summer Camp 2026 📍 College of Wooster, Wooster, OH | June 15–20, 2026 An overnight residential camp for middle and high school girls (grades 7–10) covering hands-on science across physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and engineering. Campers explore state-of-the-art labs, attend college-readiness seminars, and connect with like-minded peers — all at a low cost thanks to grant funding. 👉 Learn more & register
Scholarships to Apply For
MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship - MPOWER Financing Amount: $5,000 (1st) | $2,000 (2nd) | $1,000 (3rd) | Deadline: December 31, 2026 Open to international and DACA female STEM students studying in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. Three winners selected based on potential to be a role model for women in STEM. Short essay required - no need to be an MPOWER borrower to apply. 👉 Apply here
NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing - High School - NCWIT / Aspirations in Computing Amount: Varies (cash + prizes) | Deadline: October 28, 2026 (opens September 2026) Honors 9th–12th graders for their computing-related achievements, interests, and aspirations. 300 national recipients selected every year - sponsored by Apple, Bank of America, Jane Street, and Microsoft. One of the most prestigious computing recognitions available to high school girls. 👉 Apply here
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing - Collegiate Award - NCWIT / Aspirations in Computing Amount: Varies | Deadline: November 18, 2026 (preliminary round) For undergraduate and graduate students with a computing project. Recognizes technical innovation, impact, and leadership in computing. A great opportunity for college students looking to stand out in their field. 👉 Apply here
Bold.org Women in STEM Scholarship - Bold.org Amount: Varies by donor | Deadline: October 19, 2026 Open to all US female STEM students. Apply through the Bold.org platform where you can apply to multiple scholarships at once with a single profile — saving you time while maximizing your chances. A great starting point if you're building your scholarship list! 👉 Apply here
College Tips & Resources
What Can High School Students Do to Prepare for a Computer Science Degree? Written by a CS graduate tutor and teacher with years of experience, this article breaks down exactly what high schoolers can do now to hit the ground running in college:
Build your math skills — Calculus and Statistics are the backbone of most CS programs. Getting comfortable with them early makes a big difference once you're in class.
Start a coding project — Pick something fun (a game, a tool, a topic you care about) and build it. You'll naturally learn variables, loops, functions, and decision structures — the core concepts you'll see on day one of your CS degree.
Explore your interests — CS is a broad field. Use high school to figure out what excites you most, whether that's software, data, cybersecurity, or something else entirely.
The earlier you start, the more confident you'll feel when you get to college. 💡
Stay connected with our journey:
- Learn more about our work atwww.girlscodetheworld.org
- Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for updates
- Reach out to our team with ideas or opportunities for collaboration