A six-week, sustained program for female STEM students to learn…
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT • TEAM COLLABORATION • TECH TOPICS

2025 Spring Program Schedule

Middle school and High school sessions: 9:00am – 11:30am

APPLY NOW – FALL 2025


3/22/2025 • Session 1: Leadership Foundations & Innovation (Virtual)

Middle School

  • Leadership Focus: Understanding leadership and personal strengths.
  • Activity: Design and build a mini hydroponic system.
  • STEM Tie-In: Learn about water systems and plant science.

High School

  • Leadership Focus: Vision setting and goal alignment.
  • Activity: Design and build an advanced hydroponic system prototype with a resource plan.
  • STEM Tie-In: Dive into the science of hydroponics, exploring sustainability implications.

3/29/2025 • Session 2: Collaboration & Team Dynamics (Virtual) 

Middle School

  • Leadership Focus: Building trust and teamwork.
  • Activity: Group activity preparing soil enriched with sea kelp for planting seeds.
  • STEM Tie-In: Study the benefits of soil health and its impact on plant growth.

High School

  • Leadership Focus: Collaborative problem-solving and communication.
  • Activity: Plan a garden ecosystem incorporating hydroponics and soil methods.
  • STEM Tie-In: Compare hydroponics and soil growth systems for efficiency and sustainability. 

4/5/2025 • Session 3: Problem-Solving & Adaptability (Virtual) 

Middle School

  • Leadership Focus: Flexible thinking and overcoming challenges.
  • Activity: Monitor hydroponic and soil systems for growth patterns.
  • STEM Tie-In: Record data on plant health and environmental factors. 

High School

  • Leadership Focus: Strategic thinking and adaptability in leadership roles. 
  • Activity: Analyze and adapt systems for maximum efficiency. 
  • STEM Tie-In: Explore advanced data tracking and growth optimization strategies. 

4/12/2025Field Day (In Person)

4/26/2025 • Session 4: Creativity & Innovation (Virtual)

Middle School

  • Leadership Focus: Generating creative solutions. 
  • Activity: Brainstorm improvements for their growing systems.
  • STEM Tie-In: Experiment with natural fertilizers or lighting conditions to enhance growth.

High School

  • Leadership Focus: Driving innovation and leading with impact. 
  • Activity: Develop a proposal for a food-growing solution for a local community. 
  • STEM Tie-In: Create prototypes and visual presentations. 

5/03/2025 Session 5: Prototyping & Presentation Skills (Virtual)

  • Middle School

    • Leadership Focus: Presentation and confidence-building. 
    • Activity: Refine prototypes and practice presenting solutions. 
    • STEM Tie-In: Integrate graphics and storytelling into presentations.
    • Tech Talk >> Mystery Speaker!!

    High School

    • Leadership Focus: Public speaking and persuasive communication.
    • Activity: Finalize and rehearse presentations.
    • STEM Tie-In:  Polish presentations with data visualization and design tools. 
    • Tech Talk >> Mystery Speaker!!

5/10/2025 Session 6: Onsite Makerspace Prototyping Challenge

  • All Participants 

    • Challenge: Solve a real-world challenge faced by Independence Gardens (e.g., enhancing fresh food accessibility through innovative systems).
    • Leadership Focus: Execution and teamwork under time constraints.
    • Activity: Build and present prototypes to judges.
    • STEM Tie-In: Showcase working models that integrate engineering, sustainability, and design. 

5/17/2025 • Graduation: Individual Student Presentations

Community Partners