Today we’d like to introduce you to Nithya Achanta and Jie Wang.
Hi Nithya and Jie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
STEM4fem is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Memphis, Tennessee working to help girls pursue interests in STEM-related fields. In a society where innovation and change are becoming increasingly important, we hope to show young girls the potential for STEM to change the world.
STEM4fem was founded in the summer of 2017 because we noticed two major issues in the STEM field: there is a major gender gap, and resources and opportunities are not always available to everyone, especially in Memphis. By providing a platform and network for girls to carry out their ideas and interact with professionals, we hope to help them maximize their potential and help them achieve their goals.
In the 5 years, we have operated, we have reached over 500 girls in Memphis and have held over 100 free events and workshops.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We started this organization as high schoolers, so many of the struggles we faced stemmed from our young age and lack of credibility. To gain the support of other businesses and people, we had to go above and beyond to prove ourselves capable, and we had to learn a lot in terms of networking and raising money.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Our organization focuses on a specific group that is underrepresented in the STEM field. By providing opportunities to middle and high school girls, we have been able to create a unique community where girls can learn and connect while receiving advice and feedback from diverse women working in the field.
We hold workshops and panels throughout the school year and an annual competition where teams of girls create a STEM project that benefits the community in some way. While our organization helps girls build their STEM knowledge, it also helps build confidence in themselves, improves problem-solving and leadership skills, and promotes a mindset that prioritizes giving back to the community.
We are most proud of our annual finalist and community showcase event, where teams of girls present their projects to judges and we host a panel full of incredible women open to the general public. We were proud to see such a diverse array of girls and projects at our first event, strengthening the community we aspired to build up when we first started STEM4fem.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
We’ve been fortunate to meet many people who took the time to listen to our ideas, give us advice, and connect us with others who have helped us in many ways throughout our journey.
As young high schoolers with ambitious goals, we’ve had great luck in meeting such wonderful people. With the help of others, we have been able to host workshops with bigger organizations such as Bridge Builders and Girls Inc and bring in fantastic speakers from a variety of backgrounds.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.stem4fem.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stem4fem/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/stem4femmemphis
