We believe every girl — especially those facing systemic barriers — deserves early, hands-on, inspiring access to STEM, real role-models, and supportive networks so she can step confidently into leadership in science, technology, engineering and math.

Why it matters

  • The “gender gap” in STEM remains considerable (women made up only about 16% of the engineering and architecture workforce as of 2023 — Source).

  • We know that the drop-off often begins around age 13 — a pivot point when students develop a version of self-awareness of their own strengths/areas for development, goals for their future, and confidence (and awareness of where they find it).

  • When girls leave STEM-pathways early, the downstream impact on innovation, economic opportunity, and diversity of thought grows. Foundational capabilities in STEM set students up for future problem solving skills and leadership roles.

  • We’re addressing this by shifting the window earlier: equipping girls starting in middle school with access, mentors, and authentic experiences. We are turning high school and college students into leaders through professional development and soft skills training to prepare them for the workforce.

How we work

  • Hands-on learning: We deliver immersive STEM modules (engineering, coding, biology, chemistry) that begin with meaningful warm-ups, end with real-world connections.

  • Role model mentorship: Female STEM-leaders of all ages engage with participants so the “you can be this” gap closes.

  • Inclusive design: We partner with schools, educators, and community organizations to adapt and scale curricula that reflect and respect diverse backgrounds.

  • Supportive community: It’s not just about one summer or one lesson — we help girls build networks they can tap into across time.

  • Evaluation & continuous learning: We believe inclusion is ongoing; we track where we’re learning, how we improve, and commit to growth rather than perfection.

Who We Serve and Why

  • Girls between 8-12

    We offer hands-on educational programs for students right before they hit middle school, knowing it is a crucial age to build their confidence in the classroom.

  • High school & college women

    We offer internship opportunities as an entry-level professional development opportunity — building their project management, execution, research, and communication skills.

  • Early exposure and relatable role-models significantly shift confidence, mindset, and persistence

    “Mina and Sydney's dedication and passion for the program was inspiring to hear how they started Girls Code the World and seeing the size it has grown to over the years. Girls Code the World helped me have a better appreciation for STEM programs targeted to young students, especially young girls. It made me want to learn more about how access to STEM programs as a kid can affect your future career choices and likeness of different school subjects.”

    Katie Jones, former GCTW intern