Opportunity Pathways Programs

Responding to the under-representation of women, especially women of color, in STEM fields, YWCA provides after school Opportunity Pathways Programs for girls. Our instructors work to nourish girls’ interests in STEM, improve their in-school performance, and equip them with the workforce and life skills that they need to thrive.

We teach girls to resist the stereotypes that sometimes discourage women and girls from pursuing these fields and provide them with an opportunity for holistic growth. YWCA also expands the impact of our STEM curricula by supplying training, materials, and resources to partner organizations that offer after-school programming to low-income elementary school children.

“The confidence that the PATHmakers program instilled in my daughter is phenomenal.

Amanda, PATHmakers Parent

  • STEM Impact

    STEM Impact

    STEM Impact is a “train the trainer” initiative that makes it possible to reach many more children with our acclaimed STEM curricula. We supply partner after-school providers with the instruction, materials, and resources that they need to deliver quality STEM programming. The curricula are interactive, and educational activities are uniquely structured to awaken children’s interest in STEM.

    STEM Impact supports elementary school students who come from high poverty, ethnic and racial minority, disabled, and female populations, all of which are significantly under-represented in the STEM educational and career fields.

  • PATHmakers

    PATHmakers

    PATHmakers broadens 5-8 grade girls' interests & nurtures their confidence as knowledgeable STEM enthusiasts. Directed at middle school girls from economically disadvantaged homes, PATHmakers helps improve academic achievement, increases interest in STEM topics and careers, and decreases the opportunity gap. It provides hands-on, project-based STEM activities; math and science enrichment; life skills development; mentoring; pre-college experiences; and STEM career exploration.

    PATHmakers includes YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s reputed Saturday Academy program, a monthly full-day event that brings girls to a local college or university for STEM enhancement, college and career preparation, and to meet successful, female STEM Professionals.

We are currently accepting partners for our STEM Impact Program!

Learn more about the program by downloading our flyer here. Fill out our registration form to get started!

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