STEM Mini-Grant Program
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are important fields of study that lead to exciting, fulfilling, well-paid careers. More women and girls are still needed to pursue these pathways, and there are many creative ways to encourage, inspire, and empower them!
AAUW State College awards mini-grants of up to $500 to local organizations, schools, and groups that propose STEM-rich projects, programs, events, or activities that will engage and positively impact Centre County girls or women.
Award Criteria
- Proposed plans should include informal or formal STEM-focused educational activities, skill-building opportunities, female role models, unique experiences, exposure to resources, career information or exploration, etc.
- Intended audiences should be majority female OR an intentional plan to recruit and actively engage female participants should be clearly articulated.
- Proposals should clearly describe how funds will be used.
- Recipients are expected to publicly acknowledge AAUW State College for its support and provide a brief follow-up report.
Note: AAUW supports efforts that are open and welcoming to all.
New applicants are encouraged and welcome to contact the STEM Committee to receive feedback and input on their ideas before submitting an official proposal.
How to Apply
- Online: Complete the form and submit; be sure to upload any additional supportive files first.
- Via Email: Send a completed application form via email attachment to STEM@aauwstatecollege.org with “AAUW State College STEM Mini-Grant Proposal” in the subject line.
Selection and Timeline: The AAUW STEM Committee meets monthly (except during the summer) and reviews applications on that basis.
Questions? Email STEM@aauwstatecollege.org.
Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.
2024–2025 STEM Mini-Grant Awardees
Bellefonte Area School District
“Family STEAM Night”
Books featuring female role models in STEM fields were selected and provided to attendees.
YMCA State College
“Summer Day Camp STEM Activity”
Girl campers helped to select hands-on activities to be used during STEM sessions with all campers.
Bellefonte Art Museum
“From Your Backyard to the Cosmos: The Beauty and Science of Astrophotography”
A museum exhibition that prominently included female astrophysicists and astrophotographers.
Bellefonte Community Children’s Garden
“A science in the garden program where we all GROW!”
Needed supplies and garden updates were purchased to support the partnership program between the Bellefonte Garden Club and all 2nd and 3rd grade students in the Bellefonte Elementary School.
STEM Programs We Support
In addition to our mini-grant program, AAUW State College directly sponsors and supports several STEM initiatives for girls and women in Centre County.
Penn State Empower
A networking and professional development conference hosted annually by the State College Chapter of Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) at Penn State University Park. Open to students, post-docs, faculty, and professionals in STEM fields, the conference features speakers sharing career experiences and advice, along with small group discussions and activities that connect participants from different backgrounds.
Penn State Envision
A Saturday event held in February or March. Area students in grades 6–12 spend a day at Penn State University Park exploring STEM career opportunities through three hands-on workshops featuring research projects and networking with Penn State faculty and students. Young women are especially encouraged to explore studies and careers in any STEM field that interests them.
Penn State Science-U Scholarships
AAUW State College funds scholarships for girls and young women in Centre County to attend Science-U, a summer science camp at Penn State University. Scholarship applications for students entering grades 6–12 become available in mid-November on the Science-U website and require a short essay and a recommendation from a STEM teacher. Successful applicants attend a free day camp focused on topics such as ecology, astronomy, genetics, materials science, and medicine.
GaLS (Girls Love Science)
An after-school program for middle school girls in the Bellefonte Area School District. Participants explore STEM fields together through classroom activities, in-person and virtual site visits with Penn State professors and graduate students, and meetings with female STEM professionals. Recent topics have included archaeology, food science, biomedical engineering, and forest ecology.
STEMPOWERED Girls
An after-school STEM enrichment program hosted by Discovery Space for 5th and 6th grade girls in rural school districts. Multi-session modules focus on a specific STEM career, with participants learning relevant content and vocabulary, then visiting a local lab or business in that industry to meet female STEM professionals and experience a day in their work.
GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) Camp
When The Rivet, Discovery Space’s makerspace, opened, staff noticed that parents weren’t signing up their daughters. GLOW was created in response to engage girls in skill-building activities and projects often not offered to them. Participants have created projects and learned new skills in woodworking, metalworking, 3-D printing, and digital design.
Let’s Read Math
The AAUW State College STEM Committee, in coordination with Schlow Centre Region Library, sponsors Let’s Read Math, a multi-week summer program for elementary-age children. Each one-hour session begins with a children’s book that highlights a math or science concept, followed by a hands-on activity.
Interested in learning more about our STEM programs or getting involved? Email STEM@aauwstatecollege.org.
