The Fleet Science Center, in its commitment to fostering the development of STEM identities in San Diego County youth, announces a series of inspiring events for female and female-identifying students.

The annual SciTech Challenge is the capstone of the SciTech after-school program for girls in grades 4–6. The event will be at the Fleet’s iconic Heikoff Giant Dome Theater on Saturday, May 6.

Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering (BE WiSE) welcome events on Saturday, May 6, and Saturday, May 13, to introduce new students in grades 7–8 to the STEM community-building program.

Girls-Only Science Clubs for students ages 10–14 are the perfect place for female and female-identifying kids to connect and explore. Offered every second Sunday at 10 a.m., Girls-Only Science Clubs are an amazing opportunity. Topics vary each month.

Women Scientists in Action Summer STEM Camp shows students in grades 5–8 the array of STEM opportunities they can pursue. All programs also offer opportunities to interact with women STEM professionals, a key component in the development of skills and confidence. The camp takes place at the Fleet from Monday, July 31, to Friday, August 4.

Ongoing Girl Scouts Workshops, led by Fleet Science educators, offer exciting and interactive ways to earn badges and the opportunity to engage with scientific concepts, ask questions and make observations. The workshops also encourage camaraderie and connections.

These events are part of the Fleet's 50th Anniversary as we continue to celebrate and elevate STEM in San Diego.

SciTech

This year’s SciTech Challenge on Saturday, May 6, will see student teams compete from all over San Diego County: Avondale Elementary School in Spring Valley, Logan Memorial Educational Complex in Logan Heights, Bostonia Global Campus in El Cajon, Bayside STEAM Academy in Imperial Beach, and Ella B. Allen Elementary School in Bonita.

SciTech offers weekly two-hour sessions during the school year on the participating schools’ campuses. Through the program, students engage in hands-on science investigations covering a wide range of topics, including geology, solar car design, household chemistry and more.

Key to the program at the Fleet Science educators who also serve as strong role models and mentors as women in STEM, embodying an “I can do that” attitude.

The students make their way to the challenge through a project-based learning approach. They make concrete connections to everyday life while developing problem-solving and creative thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. 

This year the problem is earthquakes and students are collaborating to solve the problem by building earthquake-proof structures.

San Diego women STEM professionals will judge the competition and reinforce that STEM is for everyone.

And! Applications for the 2023–24 SciTech program open on May 8!

BE WiSE

BE WiSE engages female and female-identifying students in grades 7–12 with exciting STEM learning experiences in partnership with the region's research, industry and academic institutions. Students interact with professionals, expanding their knowledge of STEM fields and creating a community of young women interested in science through out-of-school activities.

Through BE WiSE, students can participate in events designed to deepen their understanding of STEM fields. Students will engage in hands-on activities and experiments and, importantly, interact with STEM professionals. Women scientists will share their knowledge and passion about their experiences with science and engineering careers. The program also offers events for high school students to encourage the selection of more courses in science and math. 

The result of this ongoing, immersive participation is that students sustain their interest and involvement in STEM. With BE WiSE, students become part of a community of young women who share a passion for science and who are excited to learn and grow together. 

Once BE WiSE members graduate from high school, they transition to alumna status. The Fleet Science Center is proud that so many alumnae remain in the program as volunteers, role models and mentors.

Women Scientists in Action Summer STEM Camp

In this weeklong summer camp, fifth through eighth graders can explore not only the power of science but also their own potential. Each day offers hands-on experiences in a different field of science, and students can interact with local STEM professionals to learn more about how they, too, can become STEM professionals.

Fleet Science Center STEM camps focus on both inquiry and play, encouraging campers to investigate fascinating and exciting science concepts. Experienced Fleet science educators facilitate all camps.

These important, complementary education programs are just one of the many ways the Fleet Science Center, as a countywide organization, creates a nurturing system to support the next generation of both STEM professionals and responsible stewards of San Diego County.

Additional Resources

Young Women in STEM programs at the Fleet

• SciTech
• BE WiSE
• Camps
• Science Clubs
• Girl Scouts

Photos

SciTech Video