March is Women’s History Month, a perfect opportunity to highlight nPower Girls, an impactful program inspiring young minds throughout the ESD 112 region. nPower Girls connects elementary-aged girls to female mentors in STEM careers, offering students the chance to develop meaningful connections with adult professionals. The program not only challenges gender-related stereotypes but also ignites a spark of excitement and curiosity about the future, as young girls engage in interactive, hands-on experiences.
Throughout the 2024-25 school year, nPower Girls has actively engaged students through 2-3 monthly sessions across Southwest Washington elementary and middle schools. Historically, the program spans an impressive array of fields, including:
- Architecture
- Technology
- Engineering
- Welding
- Healthcare
- Science
- Aviation
Inspiring Creativity and Confidence through Photography
Students enjoyed hands-on learning with different cameras, lenses, and lighting
In March, two representatives from ESD 112’s Communications and Public Engagement team, Melissa Burt and Anna Hixon, led a photography-themed session at Hockinson Heights Elementary School. Students enjoyed hands-on learning, experimenting with a variety of digital cameras, lenses, and lighting, and created mood boards showcasing their creativity. The session left the students with a sense of accomplishment and empowerment, as one student’s enthusiasm perfectly captured the program’s essence: “Oh my gosh, I actually feel like a photographer!”
Another photography-themed session will be happening at Jemtegaard Middle School in May.
Welding a Path for Future Women in the Trades
At George C. Marshall Elementary School, an upcoming April session will focus on women in welding. In 2023, Tatum Parsley, an Instructional Weld Tech and Welding Outreach Coordinator from Clark College Welding & Fabrication Technology, led welding-themed sessions at Hockinson Heights Elementary and Pleasant Valley Elementary. The students were tasked with designing personal protective equipment (PPE) for women. Following the session, many participants who had never heard of welding told Parsley they wanted to be a welder when they grew up.
Looking forward to mentoring future sessions, Parsley says:
“The nPower Girls program is a great example of why inclusion for women is so important. I hope this initiative continues to expand to more schools in our community.”
Young Engineers Tackle Water Systems
Since last year, innovative environmental engineering sessions mentored by Haillee Nunn and Krista Busby, Design Engineers at Grayling Engineers, have been held at Lake Shore (January 2024), Hockinson Heights (December 2024), and George C. Marshall Elementary (February 2025) Schools. Students engaged in a water system design challenge, where they transformed into engineers to create a reliable water distribution system using materials like paper cups, straws, and building blocks. The hands-on activity taught practical engineering concepts and created excitement around problem-solving and infrastructure design. The final testing phase was a highlight, where they eagerly watched their carefully constructed systems in action, seeing if water could successfully reach their reservoir.
In summarizing the program’s significance, Nunn shared, “This opportunity was especially meaningful to me as a woman in a male-dominated field. It is important to show young girls and women that they belong in STEM careers. Growing up, I didn’t see many female role models in engineering, and I want to help change that for the next generation.”
Creating a Lasting Impact for Future Generations
Students created mood boards showcasing their creativity.
The positive response from students and mentors alike exemplifies the powerful impact of these sessions, and how crucial it is for girls to see their potential in a wide range of STEM careers.
As nPower Girls expands across the ESD 112 region, its impact extends beyond classroom sessions. The program’s growth is a testament to the increasing opportunities for young girls in STEM fields, fostering an optimistic and supportive environment.
Research conducted by the National Library of Medicine demonstrates that when young women connect with female mentors, they experience a greater sense of belonging, confidence, and motivation in STEM fields, helping dismantle the barriers limiting female participation. By introducing female STEM role models to elementary-aged girls, nPower Girls proactively addresses these gaps; intervening at a critical developmental stage to build lasting enthusiasm for STEM.
The impact of these sessions will be felt for generations as today’s elementary students become tomorrow’s innovators, problem-solvers, and mentors themselves. This vital partnership of ESD 112, nPower Girls, and Career Connect SW helps ensure that every child, regardless of gender, background, or circumstance, has access to the experiences and role models that inspire and help them reach their full potential.
About nPower Girls
nPower Girls is a partnership between Career Connect Southwest, school districts, and community partners in Southwest Washington. The program is actively seeking women in STEM fields who are interested in mentoring future sessions as nPower Girls continues to grow. To get involved, please contact Jessica Thompson, nPower Girls Coordinator at jessica.thompson@esd112.org.
