Crystal Morton, PhD, founded Girls STEM Institute to help girls of color develop a more positive perception of STEM through a combination of education and sisterhood.

Dr. Morton, an associate professor of Mathematics Education at IU Indianapolis, created the institute as an answer to her research on black girls' performance in mathematics and the unfavorable external factors that affect their learning. Through Girls STEM, Morton aims to help girls of color in grades 3 through 12 develop more positive perceptions of STEM, as well as increase the flow of underrepresented groups to upper-level mathematics courses and other STEM-related disciplines, degrees, and careers.

The goals of Girls STEM Institute are to:

• Engage girls in culturally grounded, inquiry-based STEM curricula through hands-on and minds-on experiences.
• Instill girls with the interest and confidence to pursue math or other STEM careers, and engage in STEM-related extracurricular activities while providing opportunities to interact with STEM professionals.
• Empower girls to understand how STEM-related concepts can be used to address inequities in their personal lives and community.

Through Girls STEM Institute, girls participate in STEM explorations; mathematics literacy instruction; college campus visits; and social, leadership, and college preparatory development. The program partners with several schools and programs within IU Indianapolis, as well as local businesses and various community partners. Girls engage with a diverse group of professionals to help them see that STEM-related careers are within their reach.

• Your gift of $40 could cover the cost of a Saturday program for one girl during the academic year.
• Your gift of $60 could provide a girl with four summer wellness classes at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport.
• Your gift of $80 could provide a girl with lunch and snacks for a week during the summer.
• Your gift of $300 could cover one week of summer programming (seven hours a day) for a girl, including meals, snacks, T-shirt, drawstring backpack, and all supplies.

Your gift of any amount will make a difference in the lives of the girls we serve.

Girls STEM Summer Institute is open and available to all individuals, regardless of race or gender.

Please note, the name and purpose of the fund displayed on this page constitute the authorized description of the fund by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc. Your gift supports the fund as described herein.

In July 2024, IUPUI became Indiana University Indianapolis and is no longer affiliated with Purdue University. The IU Foundation is in the process of updating all fund titles and fund descriptions to reflect this change. Effective July 2024, even though IUPUI may be mentioned on this page, gifts to this fund will be administered by the Indiana University Foundation, Inc., on behalf of Indiana University Indianapolis.