Something to Flip about — MakerGirl Goes Mobile educates 600+ students in less than 6 weeks
Chicago, IL Aug 5, 2022
Summer STEM with MakerGirl made an amazing return this year as #MakerGirlGoesMobile got back on the road for the first time since 2019. With the support of platinum sponsor, Microsoft Flip, MakerGirl packed three 3D printers, loaded up multiple laptops & plenty of fun colored filament and hit the highway on a mission to educate more than 600 girls.
A team of four ChangeMakers drove over 2000 miles, visiting 20 cities in six weeks, documenting their impact & stories on Flip!
Flip is a video discussion app, free from Microsoft, where curious minds connect in safe, small groups to share videos, build community, and learn together… the perfect place to stay in touch with the MakerGirl community as Anna, Dani, Elvi and Emma put thousands of miles behind them educating MakerGirls from rural & underserved communities all across the United States.
MakerGirl Goes Mobile 2022 kicked off from Chicago, IL on June 23rd and less than a day later ChangeMakers Anna and Dani navigated their very first MakerGirl session!
“It was always fun to see the kids’ excitement when we brought them up to look at the 3D printers. They were always so amazed at how they worked, and specifically the things they could print. They would gawk at all the prints we had on display and the items we were currently printing. Since I’d also recently discovered 3D printing, I understood their excitement and even shared it when we traveled to places and I got to see some amazing prints”
Within one week, the MakerGirl Goes Mobile truck team hosted 110 students.
The celebration started on the Flip platform and quickly spread across social media. Each new city became a milestone, and every new MakerGirl student brought creative ideas and inspirations to session discussions.
The sponsorship from Microsoft Flip extends MakerGirl’s mission to introduce students to 3D printing at a young age and the diverse STEM opportunities in many different industries and beyond. The sponsorship provided scholarships for students to attend the program for free & the opportunity for MakerGirl Goes Mobile to reach new communities that may not otherwise have access to new and exciting technology.
“All of the MakerGirls were brainstorming really fun and creative designs. One girl was trying to design a 3D cow! When I asked her about her design, she said that her parents had recently received ownership of her Grandparents farm. This meant they had inherited a herd of cattle! Her design (the cow) was because she was so excited about seeing the ranch.”
“MakerGirl’s dedication to democratizing STEM resonates brilliantly with Flipgrid and Microsoft’s mission to empower every individual. Combined with the innovative, community-driven approach of the MakerGirl team, we are proud to partner with an organization who empowers girls and makes learning social.”
As MakerGirl Goes Mobile returns home to Chicago, the summer initiative comes to an end. But, not before celebrating another incredible milestone! MakerGirl Goes Mobile educated 633 MakerGirls before the 6 week mark — exceeding the goal of 600 girls throughout the summer initiative.
This incredible initiative would not be possible without the hard work of our MakerGirl Goes Mobile Truck Team and the support of Microsoft Flip. The skills the MakerGirls take away, in combination with the confidence they build in themselves will impact their lives in ways we cannot even imagine!
Get connected where learning happens anywhere, anytime with MakerGirl, friends, and creators of all kinds on Flip!
MakerGirl is working to bridge the gender gap in STEM through providing educational sessions to girls across the country led by high school and university ChangeMakers. Since its founding in 2014, MakerGirl has educated more than 6,000 girls in 28 states with half from underrepresented and rural communities. They have created a movement of makers with three different models: University Academies, #MakerGirlGoesMobile, and online curriculum. MakerGirl is on a mission to educate 10,000 students and establish 10 MakerGirl Academies by 2023. Follow the organization on social media @_MakerGirl.