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1000 Girls 1000 Futures

"Mentoring gives me the opportunity to give back and move my fellow women forward. It is rewarding to see others find success, and I'm proud to play a supporting role in it."-Mentor

"Mentoring gives me the opportunity to give back and move my fellow women forward. It is rewarding to see others find success, and I'm proud to play a supporting role in it."
-Mentor

"She's the best mentor I could've asked for and she's helping me so much in figuring out what to do with my life... thank you SO much for giving me the opportunity to meet such a dynamic, wonderful person!"-Mentee

"She's the best mentor I could've asked for and she's helping me so much in figuring out what to do with my life... thank you SO much for giving me the opportunity to meet such a dynamic, wonderful person!"
-Mentee


What is 1000 Girls 1000 Futures?

1000 Girls, 1000 Futures is a groundbreaking initiative designed to engage young women interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and advance their pursuit of STEM careers through mentoring and 21st-century skills development.


How does it work?

The New York Academy of Sciences invites young women ages 13-17 around the world to join 1000 Girls 1000 Futures to receive mentorship from female STEM experts, gain access to college readiness and leadership coursework, and network with other girls passionate about STEM!

1000 Girls 1000 Futures empowers young women to learn independently and work collaboratively on Launchpad, the Academy’s unique online learning platform. On Launchpad, students complete the coursework at their own pace and apply their skills to work on different projects with their peers. Mentors are available to guide students throughout the program, from navigating the college application process to setting career goals.


The future of STEM is powered by women.

Women are changing the world of STEM for the better, which is why the Academy is looking for passionate girls like you to learn from women in STEM. Even if you don’t know what your next steps are, our mentor network can help you realize your potentials and achieve your goals.

Hear about Noor’s experience in 1000 Girls 1000 Futures and how mentoring helped shape her future:

The applications for 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures are now closed.

Applications will open in Spring 2023.

Our Platform

1000 Girls 1000 Futures connects young women with STEM experts through the Academy’s virtual collaborative learning platform, Launchpad.

Launchpad is where we host in-depth discussions, coursework, challenges, expert talks, networking events, and more.

1000 Girls 1000 Futures

Why 1000 Girls 1000 Futures?

Give yourself an edge by connecting with professional women who have walked the path and can guide you to excel in STEM!


“My mentor prepared me for college by helping me discover student organizations, research and internship opportunities, and other venues to develop my passion.”

- Audrey L., 1000 Girls 1000 Futures Student


The applications for 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures are now closed.

Applications will open in Spring 2023. Please note: the student programs application is for both the Junior Academy and the 1000 Girls 1000 Futures programs.

1000 Girls 1000 Futures

Application Process

To apply for 1000 Girls 1000 Futures, you will apply to the Junior Academy program. Please note, the program application is for both the Junior Academy and the 1000 Girls 1000 Futures programs.

To build a safe and enriching community of young women, we take the application process very seriously. Each year, we receive thousands of applications from all over the world. Every application undergoes a rigorous review to ensure students with the most potential are offered the opportunity to join 1000 Girls 1000 Futures.

Key Dates

Application Opens: Spring 2023
Application Deadline: Summer 2023
Decision Notification will be sent by August 2023

Definitive dates will be announced soon!

Onboarding

You will be notified of the admission decision by August. In your application, you will need to submit a signed Parental Consent Form. The Program team will contact you if any information needs to be verified. You cannot join Launchpad without a valid Parental Consent Form.

1000 Girls 1000 Futures

FAQs

The deadline to apply to student programs is Summer. The student programs application is for both the Junior Academy and the 1000 Girls 1000 Futures programs.

If you’re a girl between 13-17 years old, enrolled in high school or the equivalent, and you’re interested in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), then you’re eligible!

The program year starts in September 2023 and ends June 2024. Once you are accepted onto Launchpad, you are invited to continue participating until you turn 18.

That’s not a problem! That’s why meeting mentors can help you discover the path in STEM you want to pursue.

There’s some coursework involved, but it’s meant to prepare you for college and beyond. Plus, you can complete it online, at your own pace, with the guidance of mentors in our network!

1000 Girls, 1000 Futures was designed specifically for young women—it’s tailored to address your particular needs and questions, so that you can overcome any challenge you face and succeed.

You will work to complete challenge modules focused on 21st century skills development. During this time you will learn from mentors in the network who can answer questions and provide you with advice. The program is built with flexibility in mind so that you and your mentors have enough time to work around your busy schedules.

Tell them the New York Academy of Sciences, one of the oldest scientific institutions in the world, is offering a free,  STEM mentorship program for high school girls from around the world. The Academy is committed to helping young women foster their skills and connect with other like-minded women in a safe, friendly, online environment. Tell them you’ll work with female STEM professionals who will guide you on building your skills to prepare you for college and your future career.

“I chose to get involved because I did not have any mentors in the STEM field while I was in high school. When I heard about 1000 Girls 1000 Futures, one of the first things I thought was that I wished I had this while I was in high school. I wanted to be the mentor that I wished I had.” – Jacqualyn, 1000 Girls 1000 Futures Mentor

“I chose to get involved because I did not have any mentors in the STEM field while I was in high school. When I heard about 1000 Girls 1000 Futures, one of the first things I thought was that I wished I had this while I was in high school. I wanted to be the mentor that I wished I had.” – Jacqualyn, 1000 Girls 1000 Futures Mentor

1000 Girls 1000 Futures

What are the goals of 1000 Girls 1000 Futures?

  • Excite and inspire exceptional students to pursue STEM opportunities with an enrichment program specially-designed to develop key skills, build new knowledge, and grow scientific identify

  • Connect STEM-interested female-identifying students with a network of peers and professional role models

  • Provide a community of support, encouragement, and collaboration made up of people that share the experience of being a woman in STEM

Getting Involved as a Mentor

Women in STEM have the power to transform the career pathways for girls around the world and inspire the next generation of female STEM leaders through mentoring. Mentors provide guidance and support to small groups of students working together through Enrichment Modules designed to develop their 21st-century skills like collaboration, communication, and leadership.

Enrichment Modules are offered twice during the program year, in the Fall term and in the Spring term. Fall Modules take place from mid-September to mid-November. Spring Modules take place from mid-February to mid-April. You may choose to participate in either the Fall or the Spring or both during each program year.

During these ten-week modules, 1000 Girls 1000 Futures students form international teams of up to six individuals and move together through themed lessons, discussion prompts, and hands-on activities like conducting an interview and creating a piece of engaging scientific communication.

Student teams can choose to work with a mentor. Mentors in 1000 Girls 1000 Futures serve as a Dedicated Mentor to one or more teams for the duration of the module, providing feedback, knowledge, and resources and sharing about their personal journey and professional experience.

What are the qualifications for becoming a mentor?

Qualified mentors for 1000 Girls 1000 Futures are:

  • Self-identified women who are undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, or professionals working in a STEM-related field
  • Passionate about engaging and inspiring the next generation of young women around the world
  • Able to access at least one communication device with internet capabilities
  • Able to communicate clearly in spoken and written English
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Experienced in conducting original scientific research (preferred but not required)

How much time is involved?

All Mentors accepted to the program should expect to spend 1-2 hours on orientation and training at the start of their first program term.

During the module period, mentors should generally expect to spend 1–2 hours per week answering student questions, providing input on discussions and projects, or meeting with teams. The timing of this is flexible, and is based on your schedule. This work and communication can be done both synchronously and asynchronously.

Throughout the year, we may ask mentors to participate in focus groups and surveys. These are optional, and can range from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Application Process and Program Participation

    1. Submit your application. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. All submitted applications will be reviewed twice a year and decisions will be shared prior to the upcoming term.
      • Application Review and Decisions will take place each August for the upcoming Fall Modules.
      • Application Review and Decisions will take place each January for the upcoming Spring Modules.
    2. Complete background checks.
    3. Go through program training and orientation.
  • Participate in the 1000 Girls 1000 Futures Enrichment Modules as a Mentor.
    • Fall Modules take place from mid-September to mid-November.
    • Spring Modules take place from mid-February to mid-April.

Applications are currently open for Mentors with 1000 Girls 1000 Futures.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

All submitted applications will be reviewed and decisions will be shared in January 2023 for Mentors to join the upcoming Spring 2023 term.

Please complete the Mentor Application for Virtual Global STEM Education Programs to apply.