Encouraging girls to study math and science is becoming more important these days. That’s why Girlstart, a nonprofit that offers free STEM-focused programs for underprivileged girls, partnered with Seattle-based gaming developer FlowPlay. Together, they just completed a fund-raising campaign to bring Girlstart programs to the Seattle area.
They announced the monthlong fund-raiser in December, which just wrapped up, making about $26,000. The funds will go toward a girls’ summer camp in Bellevue. FlowPlay found the relationship to be a natural fit as it’s already making games to “fill the void of games targeted toward pre-teens and teens, more specifically young girls who have traditionally lacked games create for them,” FlowPlay CEO Derrick Morton said.
“They’re a smaller yet really active nonprofit that very directly influences young girls at a critical age – during middle school, when studies show girls begin to lost interest in STEM,” Morton told us. “So we knew our donation could help make a significant impact on the organization as a whole and the young girls they serve.”
Girlstart will partner with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue to host at least 30 girls, according to Julie Shannon, deputy director at the nonprofit. While this is the only event they have planned to date, they hope to scale up their programs nationwide, including in the Seattle community.
