TECHNOLOchicas, a national initiative of the National Center for Women & Information Technology and Televisa Foundation, aims to raise awareness among young Latinas and their families about opportunities and careers in technology. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, participants will learn about opportunities and resources to support and enhance STEM education for Hispanic and Latina women and girls.

Brite 2021 was an online STEM summer camp for girls (ages 13-16) held in July 2021. Following a successful Brite Pilot in 2020, Brite 2021 built on lessons learned to provide programs and girls an experience centered around community-building, engaging STEM content, and high-quality, inspiring role model interactions. Attendees will hear from Brite collaborators including girls and educators, about successes and challenges from the Brite 2021 experience. Presenters will share strategies and lessons learned that will inspire and encourage others who are seeking creative ways to approach informal online STEM learning and develop girls’ STEM identities.

Participants will learn about several free resources from NASA’s Universe of Learning and hear how facilitators incorporated them into their own Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA event. Join the conversation to share best practices, ask questions, and learn how NASA’s Universe of Learning team can best support your efforts in engaging your audience with the science of astrophysics.

Each month, this spotlight will highlight new programs, resources, and role models that are part of IF/THEN®, an initiative from Lyda Hill Philanthropies designed to activate a culture shift among young girls and introduce them to STEM careers.

Below are assets to help celebrate Earth Science Week (October 10-16, 2021).

Looking for ways to use the photos, videos, and other assets showcasing diverse, inspirational women in STEM that are housed in the IF/THEN® Collection? The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) has created an IF/THEN® Project Library containing free resources for educational organizations and museums. Choose from printable panels and banners, digital media, programs and activities, and supplemental materials. Each project includes the files needed to implement it, example assets, and an instructional document with suggestions and details about how the project can be modified. ASTC members in the U.S. may apply for a mini-grant up to $3,000 to support your implementation. Application deadline is October 29, 2021, or until all the awards have been funded.

NGCP is hosting a series of webinars featuring the IF/THEN® Collection to highlight ways to use the resources to support equity, increase representation of women in STEM, and engage girls in STEM.

NGCP Collaborative leads and local educators will showcase how they utilize the IF/THEN® Collection resources in their programming to engage girls in STEM. Resources from the IF/THEN® Collection that support equity in STEM will be shared.

Managed by NGCP, the IF/THEN® Collection includes thousands of images, videos, posters, and materials available at no cost to educators across the United States to use in classrooms, social media, camps, museum exhibits, and more. Stay connected to IF/THEN® on social media:

Join NCWIT and the Infosys Foundation USA, for a six-part webinar series, "Broadening Participation in CS Education: Building Community, Partnerships, and Inclusion" on the importance of increasing girls' and women's participation in tech innovation and development. Registration is open for the first webinar, “Inspired by Youth: A Discussion with High School and College Students Who Build Local CS Communities", which includes a panel discussion with 2021 NCWIT AspireIT Impact Award recipients. Register.

The field of paleontology has been greatly shaped by women despite encountering resistance at every level required for success in the profession. The work of achieving equity in paleontology is still ongoing, but in the 21st century, paleontology is becoming a more welcoming science for everyone, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, class, or ability. A panel of eminent women paleontologists will share their experiences, inspiring the next generation of girls to pursue careers in science and paleontology. This panel is a complement to the exhibit Daring to Dig: Women in American Paleontology, on display at the Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, NY until December 2021 and available online at DaringtoDig.org. Register.

Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool draws attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, and robotics—and discover new skills. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs. Visit Lights On Afterschool for student event ideas (remote or in-person), showcase your program, and find ways to participate without hosting an event.

The NCPN conference is a professional development opportunity offering informative presentations and timely information for professionals in Career Pathways, CTE, and workforce and economic development. Breakout sessions include Examining Equity through Career Pathways. Register.

This National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) conference is an opportunity for stakeholders in the summer learning movement to share resources, best practices, and solutions for summer learning and afterschool programs. NGCP is hosting two workshops, "Brite Women, Brite Girls: Creating a Meaningful Summer STEM Role Model Experience" and "IF/THEN® Collection: Resources to Support Girls in STEM", designed to provide participants with gender equitable and culturally responsive strategies and resources for engaging girls and youth in STEM. Register.

The SHPE Convention is made up of five distinct conferences: Pre-College, Academic, SHPEtinas, SHPETech, and Professionals. It includes education workshops, competitions, networking events, and a career fair and graduate school expo. This year’s theme "The Most Magical Time", will celebrate the evolution of SHPE, the empowerment of its members, the community of Familia, and the magic of Hispanics in STEM. Register.

Connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas at the Association for Career and Technical Education's (ACTE) hybrid conference. Participants will have opportunities to gather for inspiring speakers and content-rich sessions covering new CTE program innovations that have emerged from the pandemic. In-person registration includes access to virtual programming. Early bird registration ends October 16, 2021. Register.

Participants will have the opportunity to network, participate in team-building activities, and learn about the latest trends and research in innovative and quality out-of-school-time programming. Deadline to submit a proposal is October 31, 2021. Early bird registration ends October 31, 2021. Register.

The Connectory showcases STEAM opportunities for youth to families and is a free online collaboration tool for providers to help find partners based on interests and needs.

National Chemistry Week (October 17-23, 2021) theme is: "Fast or Slow…Chemistry Makes It Go!" Held the third week of October, the public awareness campaign usually aligns with Mole Day, celebrated annually on October 23 from 6:02 AM to 6:02 PM to honor Avogadro's number (6.02 x 1023).

In recognition, we’re turning the spotlight on The Science Mill which is hosting two Homeschool Days: Careers in Chemistry events that are open to all learners – including those with asynchronous schedules or in learning pods. Students ages 5 and up will investigate “sticky” water molecules, solve a scent mystery, and construct their own molecules at hands-on activity stations.

Get Started and stay connected to The Connectory:

Through an engaging chat experience, Beyond is a free tool that instantly matches student interests with future tech careers at their favorite brands. It only takes a few minutes to complete and can be used as an icebreaker at the beginning of instruction. Launch Beyond Career Finder to learn more.

Ada Lovelace is considered the first computer programmer. Ada Lovelace Day, celebrated on October 13, 2021, aims to increase the profile of women in STEM and create role models who will encourage more girls into STEM careers. Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA has resources to plan and host a Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA event, using inspiration from the Program Cookbook, Women in Science posters, or Reach Across the Stars AR app.

Earth Science Week is October 10-16, 2021. Teaching and learning resources have been developed by American Geosciences Institute, to help educators teach about our planet and its systems. Some resources are specific to exploring this year’s theme, "Water Today and for the Future", while others include professional development opportunities and information about online resources and geoscience careers. A printed toolkit is available to order.

The Lucy mission launch, the first to study Trojan asteroids, and International Observe the Moon Night are October 16, 2021. The Lucy mission resource page includes videos, activities, and stories for youth of all ages. Youth can also participate in Observe the Moon Night events and activities.

NCW is October 17-23, 2021. This year's theme is "Fast or Slow...Chemistry Makes It Go". NCW encourages chemists and chemistry enthusiasts to build awareness of chemistry at the local level. The National Informal STEM Education Network has resources for hosting your own chemistry event.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The theme for 2021 is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.” The theme empowers individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace. Visit staysafeonline.org for tips and resources.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the theme for 2021 National Disability Employment Awareness Month is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.” Held each October, the annual commemoration raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honors 9-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education. Application deadline is November 5, 2021. Learn more.

The STEM Teaching Tools site, funded by the National Science Foundation, offers open education resource tools to help teach STEM concepts, including equity-focused practice briefs with recommended actions for attending to equity in STEM teaching.

The STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education Center provides evidence-based resources and strategies for practitioners and families to engage children with disabilities in STEM learning.

The 2021 theme is, "Digital generation. Our generation." Girls know their digital realities and the solutions they need to pave paths to freedom of expression, joy, and boundless potential. Get involved to widen these pathways so that this generation of girls can become a generation of technologists. Share stories, blogs and videos of inspiring girls who are tech trailblazers in their own right and amplify commitments by the Generation Equality Forum and others to address the gender digital divide.