WELCOME!

What is SPIN Girls?

SPIN Girls is a transformative program. It builds confidence, community and leadership while providing immersive STEM+A experiences. SPIN Girls receive tailored curriculum to learn in grade based cohort learning environments lead by instructors of color with female-identifying mentors of color from across King County.

SPIN Girls is open to cis girls, trans youth, gender queer youth, gender non-conforming and/or non-binary youth who experience(d) girlhood as a part of their journey entering eighth, ninth, and tenth grade in King County. Students of color with the potential for STEM+A curiosity development, leadership and excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

SPIN Girls meets 12 Saturdays over the course of a school year for Lab Days and Field Days. Lab Days are three hours long and include team building and project based learning, as well as mentor-mentee bonding. Field Days are three hours long and offer an opportunity for scholars to see STEM+A in action through visits to STEM+A focused partners and outdoor learning spaces.

The program culminates in a Capstone presentation, where SPIN Girls develop and present STEM+A - based solutions to real world challenges.

Professional Mentoring

SPIN Girl cohorts are matched with a female-identifying mentor of color in a STEM+A field who shares their educational and work experiences through conversations and lab and field day engagement. These mentors support the development of a SPIN Girls interest in STEM+A and help dream up an educational plan.

Scholarship and support

Every year, culminating scholars can earn a student participation stipend. By the end of the program, she has the potential of earning multiple year stipends, social emotional development, support in navigating high school course selections and college interest navigation and so much more. We think of our SPIN Girls as whole individuals and that includes their families. If there are supports needed that are not mentioned we are always available to help find resources for our SPIN Girls.

Summer programming

In July, SPIN Girls attend a week-long retreat. The schedule includes workshops, team building, project-based STEM+A learning, and student led planning for the following year.

SPIN Girls is partnering with WorldStrides, educational student travel programs, to help our SPIN Girls become global citizens, learn the importance of travel and become accustomed to it. All while exploring the opportunities of STEM+A around us. We will spend a week in a selected location having hands on science experiences and building relationships.

If you would like to sponsor a SPIN Girls travel experience please contact us!

Watch our SPIN Girls Family celebrate at our 2022 Capstone event!

Hear what our students have to say about SPIN Girls!

Check out this vlog from our 2024 SPIN Girls trip to Mount Saint Helens!

Interested in being a SPIN Girls Mentor? Learn more here.

Want to partner with us for a Field Day? Find out how here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2024-2025 PROGRAM YEAR?

August 17th - ***Summer Social
October 5th - Welcome Back Orientation
October 19th - Field Day #1
November 16th - Lab Day #1
December 21st - Field Day #2
January 18th - Lab Day #2
February 15th - Field Day #3
March 15th - Lab Day #3
March 29th - Field Day #4
April 19th - Lab Day #4
May 17th - Field Day #5
May 31st - Lab Day #5
June 7th - End-of-Year Capstone Celebration
July 14th - 18th - *Summer Retreat

HOW ARE STUDENTS PAIRED WITH MENTORS?

The Program Manager pairs mentors with student cohorts based on. Relationships are naturally developed through program engagament and SEL practices. If you have any specific needs that you’d like met, you can contact the Program Manager and let her know.

HOW LONG ARE EVENTS?

Our in-person lab days and field days are three hours long.

We learned in response to COVID-19, to be prepared to transition our events to a virtual setting when necessary. In this setting, events are only two hours long to avoid Zoom burnout.

HOW DO I EARN AND USE THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS?

Students who attend 8+ events throughout the year will earn $150, with the possibility of a bonus for perfect attendance. Students who attend less than 8 events will receive $15/event attended. **Students must finish the program year in order to earn that year’s funds.

Please let the SPIN Girls program team know if there are resources that a student is in need of. We may be able to help with those needs or assist in finding support. We are here to help.