The Brite Summer Experience

An online, interdisciplinary science, technology, engineering and mathematics program for girls ages 13 to 16 designed to foster STEM identity, spark curiosity and creativity, and build a community.

In Collaboration With:

Brite 2023 consists of three courses across three weeks:

These three topics were selected because they have the least representation of women in the professional STEM workforce.

Brite 2023 consists of three courses across three weeks:

These three topics were selected because they have the least representation of women in the professional STEM workforce.

Brite 2023 consists of three courses across three weeks:

These three topics were selected because they have the least representation of women in the professional STEM workforce.

STEM Identity

Foster girls' sense of belonging and success in STEM

Support Creativity

Encouraging curiosity and innovation

Community-building

Building a community of girl learners and a support network among them

Building Relevance
and Identity to
Transform Experiences
for Women of Color.

Meet The Role Models of
Brite Summer 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

The Brite Program is closed to self-identifying girls ages 13-16 from pre-selected informal STEM programs. Please fill out the interest form to learn about future opportunities.

These three topics were selected because the greatest gender disparities in the STEM workforce and higher education occur in the disciplines of computer sciences, engineering, and physical sciences. For more information see a summary of key statistics in the State of Girls and Women in STEM report provided by the National Girls Collaborative Project.

The Central Program Goals are to:

  • Foster STEM identity: sense of belonging and success in STEM
  • Build a community of girl learners and a support network among them
  • Spark curiosity and creativity
  • Brite is a 3 year research to practice grant funded by the National Science Foundation. Led by Florida State University, with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), and Smart Girls HQ as key partners. The project team will examine the STEM identity development of girls via the implementation of an online learning community that brings together girls from across the U.S. Dr. Roxanne Hughes will lead a research team that includes Dr. Qian Zhang, to study the impact of three core approaches: 1) community building, 2) hands-on activities, and 3) learning with women role models on girls’ STEM identities.


    Abi Olukeye, Founder, Smart Girls HQ, will lead the design and technical implementation of the online community. NGCP will manage program design and implementation, including recruitment of role models and participants, and training of educators. NGCP will manage program design and implementation, including recruitment of role models and participants, and training of educators.


    400 self-identifying girls, ages 13-16, from ten sites, will participate in the Brite Online Learning Community and 20 educators will receive training in the three core approaches. Participating girls will gain exposure to diverse STEM careers and role models, equipping girls with access to resources and a support network to make decisions about STEM and their futures.


    Overall, the product of this work will include research-based, tested Brite Practices, equipping researchers and practitioners with a transformative toolkit for fostering girls’ interest, identification, and long-term participation in STEM. The Brite Practices will be disseminated across the United States through NGCP’s network which supports and facilitates collaboration between more than 42,500 organizations serving over 20.2 million girls.

    Brite is funded by the National Science Foundation. NSF #2215138.

    Stay Connected

    The Brite Program is only available to self-identifying girls ages 13-16 from pre-selected informal STEM programs. If you want to learn more about future offerings enter your email below to stay updated.