N※N

Jacksonville Expands Girls-in-STEM Day with Architecture Focus

84

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. s-girls-in-stem-day-with-architecture-focus.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 9:22 GMT by The Florida Times-Union

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-02 224 x 224 / 11634 Bytes

2025-12-02 224 x 224 / 12537 Bytes

2025-12-02 226 x 223 / 8525 Bytes

2025-12-02 179 x 224 / 13347 Bytes

Jacksonville’s Girls‑Only STEM Day Gets a “Build‑It” Twist with Architecture

On December 2, 2025, the city of Jacksonville celebrated a fresh chapter in its long‑running “Girls in STEM” initiative by adding an architecture component to its signature day‑long event. The new “Design for Tomorrow” series – co‑presented by the Jacksonville Public Schools (JPS) STEM Outreach Office, the Florida Institute of Technology, and the local architectural firm Hoffman & Associates – took place at the historic Jacksonville Public Library’s “Innovation Hub.” The goal? To give young girls a hands‑on taste of architecture while continuing to expand their exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

A Quick Recap of the “Girls in STEM” Tradition

Since its inaugural launch in 2018, JPS’s “Girls in STEM” day has drawn more than 4,500 students across the city each year. Funded by a mix of city grants, corporate sponsorships, and volunteer partnerships, the event offers a menu of activities ranging from coding tutorials and robotics challenges to chemistry experiments and math puzzles. In 2025, the event celebrated its seventh year and added a brand‑new focus on architecture, reflecting both a local need for diverse STEM pipelines and a growing trend in inclusive design education.

What the Architecture Add‑On Looks Like

At the core of the architecture segment are three main hands‑on stations:

1. Build‑It Blocks – In partnership with the Build Your Own World (BYOW) nonprofit, students use interlocking 3‑D printed blocks to design miniature urban plans. Each station includes a “city‑scaping” rubric that encourages consideration of zoning, public spaces, and environmental impact. Participants receive a “Future Architect” badge upon completing the challenge.

2. Virtual Reality Walk‑Throughs – A portable VR rig was set up to allow girls to explore Jacksonville’s historic buildings – from the 1880s “Old City Hall” to the contemporary “Riverfront Tower” – while learning about architectural styles, materials, and the engineering behind structural stability. The VR experience, curated by Hoffman & Associates, includes short informational overlays about each building’s design philosophy.

3. Code a Skyline – A coding‑for‑architecture workshop introduced the programming language SketchUp and the open‑source Grasshopper plugin. Students wrote simple scripts to generate building facades and learned how algorithms can create complex architectural forms. The session was run by two JPS teachers and a volunteer from the Women in Tech Florida (WITF) organization.

The People Behind the Project

• Mary Ramos, JPS STEM Outreach Director – Ramos explained that adding architecture was a strategic move: “We noticed that while STEM coverage is strong in robotics and coding, architecture remains an under‑represented field for girls. By integrating design thinking early, we hope to spark interest that extends into higher education and beyond.”

• Dr. Alan K. Kim, Faculty Lead, Florida Institute of Technology – Kim noted that the partnership offers students a glimpse into real‑world engineering and design. “Architecture is the ultimate interdisciplinary field. It brings together structural science, aesthetics, and societal impact. We want to show students that STEM isn’t confined to labs; it’s all around us.”

• Jana Hoffman, CEO, Hoffman & Associates – Hoffman shared the firm’s motivation: “We’ve built over 50 commercial and civic projects in the Jacksonville area. It’s vital that the next generation sees the possibilities for women in architecture and related trades.”

Why Architecture Matters in a STEM‑Focused World

According to a recent report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), only 10 % of architecture professionals are women. Similarly, the American Society of Civil Engineers notes that female representation in the broader design and construction pipeline remains under 15 %. By embedding architectural content within a STEM‑focused day, the JPS program attempts to close that gender gap early.

“Kids who learn to code or work with robots often develop spatial and analytical skills,” says Dr. Kim. “Architecture is a natural extension of those skills. It encourages creativity, problem‑solving, and collaboration – all critical for future innovators.”

Highlights and Take‑Aways From the Day

• Student Engagement – Over 300 girls participated in the architecture stations, with 92 % indicating a new interest in design or engineering careers.
• Mentorship Moments – Two “Architecture Mentors” from Hoffman & Associates conducted Q&A panels about internships, academic pathways, and portfolio development. Students were encouraged to apply for the firm’s 2026 “Women in Architecture Internship” program.
• Community Partnerships – The event also showcased local high schools that have newly launched Architecture 101 courses, and it highlighted the upcoming “Future Builders” scholarship awarded to girls pursuing STEM degrees at the state university level.

Extending the Impact: Looking Ahead

The success of the architecture addition has sparked a conversation about expanding the program’s reach. Possible future developments include:

• Year‑Round Mini‑Courses – Short Saturday‑morning workshops in partnership with local community colleges, featuring deeper dives into architectural design software and sustainable building practices.
• “Build It, Code It, Live It” Challenge – A city‑wide competition where students design a small community space, build a physical model, and code a simulation to test its environmental performance.
• Cross‑City Collaborations – Partnerships with other Florida cities’ STEM programs to create a regional network of girls’ design labs, culminating in a state‑wide “Girls in Architecture Expo.”

Bottom Line

Jacksonville’s latest iteration of the “Girls in STEM” day proves that innovation is not just about coding robots or conducting science experiments—it’s also about seeing the world through the lens of design and understanding how the built environment shapes our lives. By blending hands‑on building blocks, virtual reality experiences, and coding exercises, the event has set a precedent for future STEM outreach that is inclusive, interdisciplinary, and truly inspiring. As more girls walk into the library’s Innovation Hub and start designing their own skylines, the city moves a step closer to a future where women are equally represented in the world of architecture, engineering, and technology.