STEAAM
Innovation Hub for Girls
IIn the heart of Philadelphia—a city grappling with deep-rooted socioeconomic disparities—low-income girls face systemic barriers that limit their access to high-quality education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and the arts. These barriers include under-resourced schools, scarce extracurricular opportunities, and a lack of visible mentors who reflect their identities and aspirations.
The STEAAM program—Science, Technology, Engineering, Activism, Arts, and Mathematics—is designed to directly address these gaps. It recognizes the immense, often overlooked, potential within young women from underrepresented communities and seeks to empower them through equitable access to knowledge, tools, and opportunities.
STEAAM offers a dynamic blend of mentorship, hands-on learning, and exposure to real-world applications in both STEM and the arts. Through immersive workshops, collaborative projects, and community engagement, the program provides participants with the skills and confidence needed to pursue higher education and careers in these fields.
At its core, STEAAM is more than an educational initiative—it is a transformative movement. By nurturing talent and fostering leadership among young women, STEAAM contributes to building a diverse and inclusive pipeline of future innovators, creators, and changemakers. This program not only uplifts individuals but also strengthens communities and redefines the future of workforce equity and innovation.
Student Spotlight: Dinara's Journey with STEAAM
One of the most powerful testimonials about the impact of our STEAAM program comes from Dinara, a student who has been actively engaged in Thrive Philly from 9th through 12th grade. Over four years of consistent participation, Dinara has grown into a confident, tech-savvy, and purpose-driven leader — and is now a finalist for the prestigious Gates Scholarship.
In her own words, Dinara explains how Thrive Philly helped her build confidence, develop leadership skills, and access tools and opportunities she never imagined — including receiving her first passport, learning business and tech skills, and being supported by mentors who saw and nurtured her potential.
"This program helped me find my voice, and realize I can do things that felt impossible before. Thrive Philly believed in me, and now I believe in myself."
— Dinara, STEAAM participant
🎥 Watch Dinara’s story:
Her story represents the long-term impact Thrive Philly aims to have — equipping young women with mentorship, access, and real-world skills to lead boldly and pursue competitive academic and career paths.
Areas of Focus
Digital Literacy
Closing the digital literacy gap for urban youth by providing 1:1 MacBook computers, software packages, and specialized training to equip students with 21st-century skills.
STEM + Humanities
Bridging the gender gap in STEM by offering inclusive, interdisciplinary programs for underserved girls in Philadelphia. Students who maintain a C+ or higher receive a stipend for passport costs. Those with a B+ or higher qualify for a spring study abroad trip.
Well-Being
Fostering leadership and well-being strategies through yoga, meditation, and coping exercises. Every student receives $400 for back-to-school supplies and transportation assistance to and from the program.
Tracking the Impact of STEAAM
Thrive Philly uses a comprehensive, data-informed approach to track the impact of its STEAAM program. We conduct pre- and post-program assessments aligned with key learning objectives to measure gains in science, math, technology, and entrepreneurship. We also collect academic grades at the start and end of the program to track individual growth, aiming for a 10–15% improvement on average.
Additionally, we administer engagement and satisfaction surveys to evaluate students' confidence, sense of belonging, and interest in STEAAM-related fields. We track attendance, project completion, and participation in key workshops to ensure active engagement throughout the program. This blend of academic, behavioral, and self-reported data provides a clear and actionable picture of program effectiveness and opportunities for growth.
Based on our data from 2024:
Students also completed final passion projects, received MacBook Air laptops, and participated in both local and global exposure experiences, including receiving first-time passport stipends. Through mentorship, skill-building, and consistent support, Thrive Philly empowered youth to explore their potential and take meaningful steps toward academic and personal success.
Explore Our Student Impact Survey
We use a student survey rooted in validated frameworks like growth mindset, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging to measure impact. This tool helps us identify student progress and adapt programming in real time.
If you're interested in receiving a downloadable version or partnering to measure impact in your program, reach out to us!