Grant to two Dallas ISD schools will help female students see themselves as future STEM pioneers

Thanks to a generous gift from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Texas Women’s Foundation awarded a $40,000 grant to Young Women’s Steam Academy at Balch Springs Middle School and a $15,000 grant to Solar Preparatory School for Girls to increase usage of the IF/THEN Collection.

The IF/THEN Collection is the world’s largest free resource of authentic and relatable photos, videos and biographies celebrating diverse, contemporary women in STEM careers and roles. The two Dallas ISD schools can use the IF/THEN^® Collection for free for non-commercial purposes to highlight and elevate these STEM role models in order to inspire young girls to pursue STEM careers.

The funds will cover the cost of printing and displaying the IF/THEN Collection at the schools. In addition to access to resources, the campuses will purchase digital media to display the collection outdoors, for the community to enjoy, as well as in the hallways so that girls can read and learn about these women as they transition classes. Digital media will also be displayed in large community areas, such as the cafeteria.

“The idea is to inspire our girls and young women with authentic and relatable images of women in STEM since most of the scientists they see in textbooks don’t look like them,” said Nancy Bernardino, executive director of Single Gender and Hybrid Schools. "We are very thankful to Lyda Hill Philanthropies and the Texas Women's Foundation for supporting our students in this way."