Sharks Foundation Backs STEM for Girls With $40K Grant and Hands-On Kits

The Sharks Foundation has awarded a $40,000 grant to Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG), a programme working to break down barriers for young girls in STEM. The funding will support afterschool activities and summer learning kits designed to spark curiosity in science and technology.

The grant aligns with the foundation's February focus on education, helping local girls explore new skills and build confidence from an early age. The $40,000 Community Assist Grant will fund a 27-week afterschool STEM programme at Washington Elementary in Berkeley. It covers costs for planning, instruction, staff training, and coordination, ensuring girls receive structured, hands-on learning.

On February 12, volunteers from Team Teal gathered at SAP Center to assemble 900 summer STEM kits. Each kit contains three activities, allowing girls to experiment and learn alongside their families. The initiative aims to foster positive attitudes toward science while equipping them with essential 21st-century skills.

Scientific Adventures for Girls focuses on removing systemic obstacles that prevent young girls from engaging in STEM, starting as early as transitional kindergarten. The partnership with the Sharks Foundation reinforces their shared goal of expanding educational opportunities for Bay Area youth. The grant will directly support both the afterschool programme and the distribution of summer learning kits. Girls involved will gain access to structured STEM activities, helping them develop confidence and skills in science and technology. The Sharks Foundation continues to invest in local education through targeted community partnerships.