STEEM Collaborative 

Inspiring Women in STEEM

Support our Scholarship Fund

Become a Mentor

About STEEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, Environment, Math

Empowering Future Generations of Women in STEEM Fields

Today’s youth hold the key to creating a better future for preserving our natural resources and outdoor spaces. However, STEEM-related careers are still male-dominated, thus making it necessary to encourage and support middle-school female students in their pursuit of these fields. Cultural perception plays a significant role in shaping the narrative of women in STEEM fields, creating a systemic barrier towards educational opportunities and career development. Our STEEM team aims to challenge these perceptions by providing inclusive educational experiences that celebrate women and underrepresented communities in STEEM fields. Our goal is to bridge the gender gap and create a welcoming environment that inspires the youth of Missoula to pursue their interests in STEEM fields.

STEEM Collaborative Pillars

Summer Institute

The Summer Institute focuses on a different STEEM topic each week. Activities include hands-on experiential learning opportunities with leaders in STEEM fields, practice in science communication, and setting personal goals for professional and academic careers. 

Learn More

After School Program

COMING SOON

The STEEM After School Program offers a space through the school year for cohorts to meet with role models, engage in hands-on science, and deepen their passion for STEEM fields. Click the link below to learn more and register.

STEEM Mentors

Diversity in STEEM professions begins with education and visibility. Our STEEM Team strives to provide opportunities for participants to meet, learn from, and engage with female professionals in STEEM fields. If you are a STEEM professional and want to be involved, consider becoming a mentor!

Community Engagement

We encourage our STEEM program participants to focus current efforts on helping and improving our immediate community. Think Global, Act Local. 

2024 Summer Institute

THEMES AND DATES COMING SOON!

Summer Institutes run from 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM and are located in the Health Sciences Building of the University of Montana.*

*Some institute weeks have different hours, locations, and costs. Please see the registration page for more detailed information.

Register Here

Apply for a Scholarship

The Montana Natural History Center is dedicated to making programming accessible and is able to provide partial scholarships for the STEEM Summer Institute. Click the button below to apply.

Apply Here

Our Mission & Approach

Empowering Middle School Girls in STEEM Fields through Mentorship and Education

The STEEM Collaborative is dedicated to providing middle school girls with opportunities to develop their skills and build confidence in science-related fields. Our STEEM Team offers high-quality educational experiences that encourage growth and interest in these fields. One of our flagship programs is the Summer Institute, where girls can participate in fun activities, work with mentors, and collaborate to find creative solutions to environmental issues.

Our goal is to provide an opportunity for equity in the STEEM fields for girls and other underrepresented communities. Through mentorship and education, we aim to close the gender gap by building confidence and competence in these fields.

Hours of Education

As our STEEM program gains interest, we have been able to increase the amount of Summer Institute Programs we are leading. Between 2022 and 2023, we have provided over 150 hours of hands-on and experiential education.

STEEM Summer Institute Participants

Our 2023 STEEM Summer Institute saw an increase in participants. We connected with 23 STEEM enthusiasts this summer.

Partners

In 2023, we partnered with over 25 different organizations and entities to bring in strong female mentors to meet with our STEEM participants.

Get Involved

There are many ways that you can get involved with the STEEM Collaborative. Reach out to Alyssa Giffin, our Camps Coordinator, to find out more.

agiffin@montananaturalist.org

Reflections from a STEEM Sister

I loved the Limnology Camp! One of my favorite activities was when we caught and learned about aquatic macroinvertebrates. The fish hatchery was cool. We got to see fish at different stages of development and preserved, deformed fish. The campout was a lot of fun! The walking tacos were a hit as we bonded overnight. I liked learning about the Flathead Lake Monster and the stories about it saving children and dogs. We had a great campsite and got to go paddle boarding.

Overall, we spent a lot of time in the water. Emma and Caitlin were excellent camp counselors. I thoroughly enjoyed Limnology Camp and look forward to returning next year.

Cassidy Parks

Cassidy Parks

Our Partners & Sponsors

  • Climate Smart Missoula
  • Clark Fork Coalition
  • PEAS Farm
  • Neptune Aviation
  • Soil Cycle
  • spectrUM Discovery Area
  • Submittable
  • Thunder Road Farm
  • Upcycled
  • University of Montana Flight Lab
  • HomeReSource
  • Montana Mycological Association
  • SciShow
  • Missoula Fire Sciences Lab
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
  • Wind River Bear Institute
  • Jocko River Trout Hatchery
  • Trout Unlimited
Become a Partner or Sponsor