Tech Council’s STEM leadership program for high school girls is ready to LAUNCH: Here’s how to join

Photo above by ian dooley via Unsplash.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council’s LAUNCH (Learn Aspire Understand Navigate Connect Highlight) Fall 2023 cohort is ready for takeoff. Tenth and 11th-grade high school girls wanting to take a deep dive into the region’s technology ecosystem and STEM careers are invited to apply by Sept. 8.

Hosted by the Council’s nonprofit arm, Fortyx80, the leadership program runs from Sept. 29 through Nov. 7. It includes a retreat, field trips and mentoring opportunities with local women professionals in STEM industries.

Applications can be found here. There is no cost for program participation and all applicants earn a stipend upon completion.

“We’re trying to make sure (high school girls) know that there are all these opportunities in the region,” says Marie Pelloni, senior director of talent and workforce development initiatives at the council. “They are at the point where they are making decisions about their classes and their secondary form of education.”

At the three-day retreat, the students will work together to solve issues based on their own STEM interests, like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, engineering and more. It incorporates lessons from Janet T. Phan’s book “Boldly You,” which focuses on the elements of building networks, “showing up” for yourself, being situationally aware and being confident, Pelloni says.

Field trips include visits to Magee Women’s Research Institute and Foundation, the Community College apprenticeship with game development company Schell Games, Pittsburgh Technical College and GetBlok Farms in Aliquippa.

Mentors from some of the Council’s 1,000 member tech companies participate on panel discussions, advise on final projects and mentor during virtual sessions.

“We really talk to the mentors about storytelling,” Pelloni says. They “tell the story of their career, the things that they love about their jobs, the things that are hard about their jobs and why it’s hard for a female to be in STEM and how they are able to overcome those (challenges).”

Chosen participants will be announced Sept. 12.