Pink Space Theory Partners with Top STEM Solution, Learning Blade, to Spark STEM Interest in Prince William County Students
For Immediate Release
Prince William County, VA —Pink Space Theory, a nonprofit that provides underserved and underrepresented youth, particularly young girls with exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), recently partnered with Learning Blade to support its G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds program. G.R.E.A.T. stands for
Girls who are
Responsible for their thoughts,
Excited about learning new things, and not afraid to
Ask questions, and
Take risks.
Open to 20 students in grades 3 through 6, the six month enrichment program offers one-on-one math tutoring, access to an accelerated “gifted” curriculum as well as hosts professional, college, and high school women to speak about their experiences in the STEM field.
Now, through Learning Blade’s software, which provides real-world learning experiences in STEM and Computer Science(CS) education, the speaker series will eventually expand to reach middle and high school students.
“Learning Blade is designed to help underrepresented and underserved students experience STEM in a connected way,” said Monica Nichols, Founder and President of Pink Space Theory. “As a smaller nonprofit, we appreciate partners such as Learning Blade, where we share a common goal of inspiring students to see the benefits of STEM in our everyday lives. STEM is much more than being able to do calculus; it's about applying STEM concepts and creativity to make the world a better place.”
Learning Blade is a complete interactive toolbox that has been proven to increase STEM career awareness and interest while practicing core academic skills. Students learn about over 100 different STEM/CS careers and technologies while working on 12 different virtual “missions” that include over 400 online lessons and offline teacher lesson plans.
“We are pleased to be working with Pink Space Theory’s G.R.E.A.T Math Minds program to provide them with high quality resources to support the exposure of young girls, especially those in underrepresented youth, to STEM and computer science careers. We often find that people cannot be what they cannot see and by exposing them to the high-demand jobs that are out there through real-world connections, we can continue to build the future workforce,” remarked Sheila Boyington, President and CEO of Thinking Media creator of Learning Blade.
The most recent G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds programs are taking place at Neabsco Elementary School and Dale City Elementary School in Woodbridge, Virginia under a partnership with the Truist Foundation and American Association of University Women.
Women continue to be underrepresented in STEM-related careers, only making up 28% of the workforce. The fields of engineering and computer science are particularly male dominated, the American Association of University Women reported.
However, programs like these further increase interest in STEM and improve learning outcomes for young girls, especially those from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds.
For example, participants from past sessions of the G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds Program experienced a rise in their test scores between 18.2% and 68.2%. Additionally, awareness of women in the field grew from 55% to 82% after program completion, according to data from Pink Space Theory’s pre- and post-test surveys. Learning Blade also has excellent data results that include after engagement, a 55% increase in students interest in computer science careers.
Pink Space Theory has also worked to close the gap in other ways such as offering career readiness training for high school students to discuss time management, money management and effective communication.
About Learning Blade
Learning Blade®, a product of Thinking Media, is a system of interactive online lessons, teacher lesson plans and printable at-home activities for 5th to 9th graders, where students learn about STEM and Computer Science careers while reviewing academics. Students can use over 400 online lessons in human-centered "Missions" or stories to explore these exciting careers aligned to all state standards.
Educators in the following states can easily request their free license by visiting the Learning Blade website: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Follow @LearningBlade on social media or email info@learningblade.com for information.
Thinking Media is proud to have recently been named to Inc. 5000 – as one of the top private growing companies in the US.
About Pink Space Theory
Pink Space Theory is a mobile STEAM-based makerspace located in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The organization is dedicated to creating spaces for the love of learning by providing meaningful student-centered educational programs that allow students to create, invent, tinker, explore and solve real-world challenges. Learn more at www.pinkspacetheory.org.
For more information contact: Sayoko Hamilton at communicationsmanager@pinkspactheory.org