Youth programming
regional AI FESTS
program overview
Techbridge Girls AI Fests are free, fun, one-day, in-person learning events open to all girls and gender-expansive youth ages 10–14. Combining hands-on learning, mentorship, and collaborative problem solving, these interactive events serve as a powerful entry point into STEM, inviting girls to engage critically and creatively with emerging technologies including artificial intelligence.
- Grades: Grades 5–8
- Format: One-day, in-person event
- Length: 5 hours
- Cost: Free for participating students
- Locations: 5 cities nationwide
ai fest locations
Learning Outcomes:
- Build confidence and a sense of belonging in STEM.
- Develop foundational understanding of artificial intelligence and responsible AI use.
- Apply critical thinking to explore how people and AI work together.
- Explore STEM and AI careers through interactions with diverse role models.
Program Description
Six girls, a laptop, and one hour to design a solution to a community need: that’s how we create a strong, connected future for all. At a Techbridge Girls AI Fest, girls come together to build friendships, have fun, practice teamwork, and imagine what’s possible together.
The Techbridge Girls AI Fest is more than a one-day event. It is an opportunity for young people to explore new possibilities, build meaningful connections, and discover that they belong in STEM.
From the opening activity to the closing remarks, the Techbridge Girls AI Fests are intentionally designed to create a welcoming and supportive structure. Participants explore emerging technologies, build confidence and critical thinking skills, connect with STEM professionals and mentors, explore educational and career paths, and experience belonging within a broader STEM community.
Opening Activity: Girls select an AI identity (Builder, Changemaker, Navigator, Seeker, or Tinkerer) and create a personalized AI Identity Button to wear throughout the day.
AI Activation Stations: Participants engage with AI and data science through hands-on learning experiences that illustrate both the potential and the challenges of emerging technologies.
Role Model Lunch & Career Conversations: Over lunch, girls engage with role models and facilitators: STEM professionals who look like them, and who share insights, affirmation, and high-fives.
Shared Community Engineering Challenge: New teams bring girls from different schools together to tackle a collaborative engineering, AI, and data science challenge focused on solving a real-world community problem.
Peer and Mentor Feedback: At the Gallery Walk, participants share their completed projects with other teams and facilitators, receiving and offering feedback in the form of glows, grows, and shout-outs.
OUR IMPACT
YOUTH Participant voices
"If I could do this every day I would. I wish my science class was like this."
"What inspired me was seeing so many women in STEM."
"I feel like I was able to do something important."
ADULT Participant voices
"In the building challenge, they were able to apply innovation and critical thinking and see their ideas materialize and evolve."
"I saw girls of many backgrounds share ideas and ask questions. They weren't afraid to work with new things and people."
"I saw active participation of each girl in the group work, showing that they were not afraid of voicing their opinion."
Community Support
Volunteer: Volunteers serve as role models and facilitators. All volunteers complete Techbridge Girls’ Role Models Matter training prior to the summit, so they’re prepared to create welcoming, engaging, and belonging-centered experiences for participants at this and future events.
Sponsor: Our corporate and community partners directly support youth STEM engagement and build authentic connections with local communities. Techbridge Girls invites sponsors to be active contributors to the event through mentorship, learning, community engagement, and financial support.
Host Site Partner: By providing event space within the communities we serve, our site partners make high-quality STEM learning experiences accessible to more girls. Host site partners also strengthen local STEM ecosystems by connecting Techbridge Girls with local educators, volunteers, community partners, and students.