Feel Good Friday - DIY Girls

Last week we talked about an organization focused on young men so for today's Feel Good Friday, it's all about the young women and the support the get from DIY Girls.

Founded in 2011 by Luz Rivas, the mission of DIY Girls is "to increase girls' interest and success in technology, engineering and making through innovative education experiences and mentor relationships."

The reason it matters is that less than 15% of girls show an interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) between 4th and 8th grade, which translates into women representing less than 25% of the STEAM workforce and Latinas representing only 2% of employed scientists and engineers.

DIY Girls focuses on girls in grades 5-12 in underserved communities in the Northeast San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. 97% of girls served are Latina, 2% African American and 1% Asian-Pacific Islander. Since 2012, over 3,000 girls have participated in various DIY Girls programs.

These programs focus on electronics, coding and invention - you can read an inspiring article on a team of DIY Girls who invented a solar powered tent for the homeless here. There is also a summer camp and an active alumni group that creates a strong support network for current and past DIY Girls.

If you work with girls, you can order a club kit, which provides materials for six one-hour sessions including a paper circuit kit, art bot and interactive friendship bracelet. All of us can support the work of DIY Girls by making a donation and showing the social media love by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter @DIYGirls. You go, girls!