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Girls Exploring Tomorrow's Technology Celebrates 25 Years of Empowering Women in STEM

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. brates-25-years-of-empowering-women-in-stem.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 7:07 GMT by The Mercury

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Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology Celebrates 25 Years of Empowering Women in STEM

The MSN Education & Learning section has highlighted a landmark moment for the “Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology” (GETT) program, which recently marked its 25th anniversary. Launched by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) in the late 1990s, GETT has been a pioneering effort to inspire, educate, and place young women into advanced technology fields that historically have been dominated by men. Over a quarter of a century, the program has evolved from a modest grant initiative into a national pipeline that connects girls with scholarships, internships, mentorships, and the cutting‑edge research communities of America.

The Birth of a Vision

The article begins by chronicling the program’s origins. In 1997, NSF identified a persistent gender gap in STEM education and careers. To address this, the Foundation launched GETT with a mission: to provide high‑school girls with “real‑world” experiences that would demystify science and engineering and motivate them to pursue STEM degrees. Early cohorts were small, each year funding about 15 participants who received scholarships to attend summer research programs at national labs and universities. The founders of GETT—researchers and educators who recognized the need for early exposure—recount how the initial funding of just a few thousand dollars helped to “ignite curiosity” in a generation of girls.

From a Tiny Seed to a Robust Pipeline

Fast forward to 2023, and GETT has grown dramatically. According to the article, the program now supports more than 100 girls each year, with a cumulative total of over 2,500 alumni who have gone on to earn degrees in STEM fields and secure positions at leading research institutions, tech companies, and government agencies. The success of the program is highlighted through a series of statistics: roughly 85 % of alumni continue in STEM majors during college, and 60 % of those graduates have entered research or industry roles that directly involve technological innovation.

The article includes a photo montage of current and former participants at research facilities, illustrating the hands‑on nature of the experience. From robot‑assembly labs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to data‑analysis workshops at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), GETT participants gain exposure to the practical aspects of science that are rarely offered in traditional classrooms.

Partnerships and Mentorships

A central theme of the piece is the breadth of GETT’s network. The program has forged alliances with major federal agencies—including NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense (DoD)—as well as with private-sector tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Tesla. These partnerships provide a range of opportunities: paid internships, mentorship programs, and access to high‑profile conferences. In particular, the article notes that many alumni report the influence of a single mentor—a senior scientist who guided them through a research project and helped them secure a summer internship at a national laboratory.

The article also highlights GETT’s community‑based outreach. In underserved areas across the United States, GETT partners with local schools and community organizations to deliver STEM workshops that feature hands‑on projects, coding bootcamps, and robotics kits. By doing so, the program addresses equity gaps that exist in access to technology education.

Adapting to Emerging Technologies

One of the most compelling sections of the article discusses how GETT has stayed ahead of the curve. The original focus on traditional engineering and physics has expanded to include data science, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and quantum computing—fields that are becoming increasingly central to national competitiveness. The article cites a 2021 pilot initiative in which GETT participants worked on machine‑learning models to predict climate change impacts, illustrating the program’s willingness to incorporate cutting‑edge research into its curriculum.

The article quotes program director Dr. Maya Patel, who says, “We’re not just teaching girls how to code; we’re teaching them how to think critically about the future of technology and the ethical implications that come with it.” Patel also points out that GETT has recently introduced a new “AI for Good” scholarship that focuses on using artificial intelligence for social impact projects, a move that aligns with NSF’s broader mission of advancing science for societal benefit.

Celebrating Personal Journeys

Interwoven with program statistics are personal stories that bring the numbers to life. The article profiles several alumni who have become leaders in their fields. For instance, 2022 graduate Lily Nguyen, who participated in a GETT summer research internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, went on to complete a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and now leads a team developing next‑generation battery technologies. Another story features Maya Kaur, who, after completing the GETT robotics program, founded her own startup that produces affordable, sustainable drones for disaster response.

These narratives serve to illustrate the tangible impact of the program: not only does GETT help girls gain access to STEM education, but it also creates a ripple effect that can shape entire industries and address real‑world challenges.

Looking Ahead: The Next 25 Years

While the article celebrates the program’s achievements, it also looks forward. GETT is currently exploring new funding mechanisms to increase the number of scholarships available—particularly targeting girls from low‑income families and rural areas. Additionally, the program is expanding its international footprint through collaborations with STEM education initiatives in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. In a statement, NSF spokesperson Dr. Kevin Brooks remarked, “Our goal is to create a pipeline that not only fills the gap in U.S. STEM talent but also builds a global community of women innovators who can work together to solve shared problems.”

Final Reflections

The MSN article concludes by emphasizing the importance of sustained support for programs like GETT. By fostering curiosity, providing resources, and connecting girls to role models, GETT has created a legacy that extends far beyond its alumni list. The program’s 25th anniversary is more than a milestone; it’s a reminder that investing in young women’s education is an investment in the future of technology itself. As Dr. Patel eloquently summarizes, “When we give girls the tools and confidence to explore tomorrow’s technology today, we’re ensuring that the next wave of innovation is inclusive, diverse, and resilient.”