Updated: Jul 2

NOVEC HELPS (Manassas, Virginia) — Living in Northern Virginia, it’s easy to see how crucial STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is for children. However, not every student is able to get proper access, especially low-income students and students of color. A study from the U.S. Department of Education showed that among high schools with high Black and Latino enrollment, they offered mathematics and science courses at a lower rate than the overall population of all high schools. This disparity plays out more when other socioeconomic factors are taken into consideration.

For Monica Nichols, creating a place for children, especially young girls, was a calling in response to struggles she faced growing up. “My personal struggles with math inspired me to start Pink Space Theory to help build STEAM skills early on in underrepresented youth,” she said.