This month, we’re celebrating being Out & About—in the sunshine, in our communities, and in our full, authentic selves. At Techbridge Girls, we uplift gender-expansive youth and create STEM spaces where everyone can explore, grow, and belong, just as they are.
And with summer around the corner, it’s the perfect time to get out and about! From local science fairs to stargazing nights and citizen science projects, there are endless ways to explore, discover, and keep learning all summer long.
We want your summer to shine, and for you to shine, too! Read on for ideas and inspiration.
Bridge Building: Upcoming Programs
We’re looking for you!
Want to join a strong and vibrant community of STEM educators and equity advocates this fall? Check out our program from last year and learn more about the STEM Equity Learning Community! Over five monthly sessions, participants explore how to use asset-based frameworks and practices to build equitable out-of-school-time (OST) STEM programs and join a unique national community of OST leaders who are growing the number of equitable STEM learning spaces. The applications are open now through August 11th, 2025.
Pathways: Role Models and More
Dr. Lauren Esposito is one of the world’s few female scorpion experts—and she’s making her mark far beyond the field.
As a scientist at the California Academy of Sciences and co-founder of 500 Queer Scientists, she’s creating visibility and space for LGBTQ+ voices in STEM.
Her work reminds us that curiosity, courage, and being fully yourself are powerful forces for change. Check out these diverse scientists – we hope you’ll see the future of your dreams! Thanks to Dr. Esposito for this amazing website!
Intersections: Techbridge in Conversation
Meet Dr. André Isaacs—a chemist, educator, and advocate known on TikTok as DrDre4000.
Born in Jamaica, Dr. Isaacs is now an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the College of the Holy Cross. Beyond the lab, he co-founded Outfront, the college’s LGBTQ+ faculty and staff alliance. And he’s also part of #HillmanTok – you can take his beginner course in organic chemistry.
Through his powerful presence on social media, Dr. Isaacs is actively challenging the status quo and uplifting the voices of queer and BIPOC individuals in STEM. He shows us what it means to lead with purpose, pride, and authenticity.
Whether he’s dancing in the lab or mentoring students, Dr. Isaacs shows that being out, proud, and passionate is, ahem, a real catalyst for change.
The View: Out & About edition!
What we’re reading, using, and finding inspirational here at Techbridge Girls
Summer STEM Opportunities
- Join a cool citizen science project at SciStarter! Wherever you are and whatever you’re interested in – decoding the sounds of hunchback whales, maybe, or monitoring your neighborhood’s air quality – you can use your unique knowledge and experience to advance important research, learn new skills, and connect with other curious people.
- ScienceNearMe is another great resource for finding science-related projects near you – and for connecting you to projects around the world.
- Go to Curiosity Camp! Our friends at Goldiblox have created this wonderful playlist of 24 videos, from Fossils to Fortnight, Stars to Snakes, you’ll be blown away by what women scientists do in the real world.
Tools & Resources
- We all want to feel safe and seen, and we all want to feel like we’re valued and capable of growth. Here are some best practices for making queer-inclusive learning spaces and building empathy, understanding, and respect.
Podcast
- StoryCorps “OutLoud” Collection: “No matter where you grew up, it wasn’t easy being out in the 1950s or ‘60s. Back then, being gay was still classified as a mental illness, and that wouldn’t change until 1973. Kids who identified as LGBTQ were often isolated and afraid to come out — and many still are. But in this episode of the StoryCorps podcast, we’ll hear about role models who hel