In order to meet our future world needs socially, economically, and technologically we need creative and innovative STEM professionals. This must include female viewpoints, ideas, and approaches in order to benefit and advance our changing world needs! 

This is particularly important as girls continue to be underrepresented across several STEM programs and professional fields. By increasing girls' participation in our programs, we can ignite their interest and passions in STEM -- which they may not have had exposure to in the past. Actua’s National Girls Program inspires young women to fulfill their role as leaders in STEM. Actua’s network members engage 10,000 girls annually in high-impact, all-girl programs. These programs provide girls with safe spaces to design, build, experiment, and explore in an all‐girls environment, with women as role models and mentors who break down the stereotypes about women in engineering and science. 

Actua’s NGP has three guiding principles:

1. Accessible Learning and Exposure - Girls and self-identifying girls should have the opportunity to access programs and/or be attracted to programs that are offered. 

Examples of this principle in practice include: 

• Affordable access to programming and resources.
• Language and branding adjusted to avoid inadvertent exclusion of girls. 
• Multiple opportunities to participate in STEM are available and incentivized, including all-girl environments. 
• Strong partnerships with youth serving organizations like school boards and community groups to identify potential participants 

2. Social Support and Encouragement - Girls should have the opportunity to receive support and encouragement from parents and peers and other important influencers.

Examples of this principle in practice include:

• Programs are led by Female instructors, female industry role models, and male allies with supportive perspective and training.
• Girls’ parents/caregivers are involved and encouraged to support their involvement in science, engineering and technology. 
• Social settings support positive and lasting social engagement.

3. Sense of Identity and Belonging - girls should have the opportunity to self-identify with STEM, and they should have the chance to feel it is part of their lived experience, and/or gain confidence in delving into digital skills, coding and STEM. 

Examples of this principle in practice include:

• Program content is designed with or by participants, not for them. We call this ‘Girl-Led (Check out Actua’s Resource and Video on Girl-Led for more information).
• All-girls’ programs often include a community action project. A community action project allows girls to make a difference in their community using their STEM learning. 
• Content is gender inclusive, and locally and globally relevant. This means that all youth who identify with all-girl programming are welcome.
• All-girls programming is provided in a “safe-space”. This means that instructors foster an environment in which girls feel comfortable expressing themselves, experimenting, and learning.