Girlstart Seeks Volunteers, Invites Runners to Participate in 3M Half Marathon on Jan. 25,

Raising $50,000 for STEM Education Programs

Girlstart Seeks Volunteers, Invites Runners to Participate in 3M Half Marathon on Jan. 25, Raising $50,000 for STEM Education Programs

Girlstart, named the beneficiary of the upcoming 2015 3M Half Marathon taking place on Jan. 25, is inviting runners to participate in what has become one of Austin’s most popular distance races, and is also seeking volunteers to help manage the Gear Check area that day.

The 3M Half Marathon, involving up to 6500 participants in this year’s edition of the race, will contribute $50,000 to Girlstart in support of the non-profit organization’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education programs for girls. Founded in 1997, Girlstart is committed to fostering STEM skills development, inspiring girls to pursue STEM education, and encouraging young women to pursue STEM careers after college. Though Girlstart has been growing steadily in recent years, Girlstart will initiate a new phase of significant expansion beginning in 2015.

“As studies released this year have shown, our afterschool STEM programs are making a positive impact on students’ math and science test scores,” said Tamara Hudgins, executive director of Girlstart. “3M’s support will allow us to continue helping students achieve academic success in the short-term, and address the ongoing gender gap in STEM careers over the long-term.”

Currently, only 24 percent of STEM professionals in the United States are women. Girlstart’s curriculum, which integrates cutting-edge technologies including video game design, 3D printing, and mobile app programming, is designed to engage girls in using STEM skills to solve problems and make discoveries.

Signups for volunteers will begin in early January on the Girlstart website at http://www.girlstart.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities, and race registrations are open at www.3mhalfmarathon.com/registration/.

ABOUT GIRLSTART
Girlstart, founded in Austin in 1997, is the only community-based informal STEM education nonprofit in the nation specifically dedicated to empowering and equipping girls in STEM, through year-round programming that promotes girls’ early engagement and academic success in STEM, encourages girls’ aspirations and persistence in STEM education and careers, and incubates a talented and diverse STEM workforce. Its innovative, nationally-recognized programs include after-school and summer camps for students, professional development for teachers, and community and online STEM education outreach programs. Girlstart cultivates a culture where risk is rewarded, curiosity is encouraged, and creativity is expected. As a result, Girlstart girls are connected, brave, and resilient. Girlstart makes girls more successful, and inspires them to take on the world’s greatest challenges.