SMART

Through hands-on, mentor-driven explorations of STEM fields, girls’ academic success is ecouraged and supported.

Girls participate in STEM activities and experiences that develop, expand upon and support their school-based learning and engagement. They are given opportunities to learn, develop skills, build self-confidence, and have fun.

Why are SMART Programs important?

16% of female university students were enrolled in STEM degree programs in 2021 while 37% of male university students were enrolled in STEM degree programs.

Among paid Canadian workers ages 20-54, men earn an average of 12% more than women; for Indigenous women, the wage gap increases to 17%.

87% of Canadian girls graduate from high school within three years of starting grade 10.

*Offered through in-school (8 sessions or workshop), after-school, and workshops

The Economic Literacy programming supports the life skills of girls ages 6-18 by exploring how the economy affects everyone locally and globally and building skills critical to being financially savvy, economically independent adults.

Through Economic Literacy, girls learn about money and the economy, including how to manage, invest, and save money and how to help others through philanthropy. As girls explore how the economy affects everyone locally and globally, they develop skills critical to being financially savvy and to becoming economically independent adults.

Teaching girls at a young age about money (including saving, budgeting, investing, risk management and gendered constraints) is a step toward financial independence, economic empowerment and economic recovery and resilience in Northern Alberta.

*Offered through after-school programming and workshops

The Operation SMART program develops girls’ enthusiasm for and skills in; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on activities girls explore, ask questions, persist, and solve problems.

By interacting with women and men pursuing STEM careers, girls come to view these careers as exciting and realistic options for themselves. They explore topics such as; mechanical, aeronautical, civil, chemical, and mining and petroleum engineering, computer science and coding, and much more.

*Offered through workshops in rural communities

Reaching SMART brings about an unprecedented way of advocating for Indigenous girls’ rights and opportunities through education by unpacking the layers of challenges around “girls in STEM” and “Indigenous and western knowledge in STEM.

While addressing #62 “Education for Reconciliation” of the 94 Calls to Action, Reaching SMART bridges Western and Indigenous science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge through storytelling and hands-on activities. Through outreaching-based 1-day workshops (virtual and in person), the program inspires and empowers girls ages 6 to 14 to explore career interests in STEM fields, while connecting girls to land and culture through the harmonized lens of Indigenous and Western STEM.

*Offered through in-school and after-school programming

The Next Chapters program creates a space for girls to be comfortable exploring post-secondary options while forming meaningful relationships with role models to assist them through the process of deciding the best fit for them individually for what, where, and how they will get to the next chapter in their life.

Girls will gain increased access to tools, skills, support system and experiences needed to navigate this journey to develop and use their own voice. With students feeling pressure over making the “right decision” and their post-graduation choices being tied to identity, finances and long-term goals in our ever changing world, Girls Inc. sees a need for unpacking not only the options available but how to get there.

Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is the longest-running  girls’ leadership program in the Wood Buffalo Region.

Girls Inc. is building the new generation of strong, smart, and bold leaders through direct service and advocacy.

Empowering girls in the Wood Buffalo Region through 100% cost-free & gender-specific programming.

Get Involved

Empowering girls in the Wood Buffalo region through 100% cost-free and gender-specific programming.

SMART

Through hands-on, mentor-driven explorations of STEM fields, girls’ academic success is ecouraged and supported.

Girls participate in STEM activities and experiences that develop, expand upon and support their school-based learning and engagement. They are given opportunities to learn, develop skills, build self-confidence, and have fun.

Why are SMART Programs important?

*Offered through in-school (8 sessions or workshop), after-school, and workshops

The Economic Literacy programming supports the life skills of girls ages 6-18 by exploring how the economy affects everyone locally and globally and building skills critical to being financially savvy, economically independent adults.

*Offered through after-school programming and workshops

The Operation SMART program develops girls’ enthusiasm for and skills in; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on activities girls explore, ask questions, persist, and solve problems.

*Offered through workshops in rural communities

Reaching SMART brings about an unprecedented way of advocating for Indigenous girls’ rights and opportunities through education by unpacking the layers of challenges around “girls in STEM” and “Indigenous and western knowledge in STEM.

*Offered through in-school and after-school programming

For more information on any of our programs please contact our Program Director at pd@girlsincofnorthernalberta.org

Return to the Program Homepage

Join The Movement

Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is the longest-running girls’ leadership program in the Wood Buffalo Region.

Girls Inc. is building the new generation of strong, smart, and bold leaders through direct service and advocacy.

Empowering girls in the Wood Buffalo Region through 100% cost-free & gender-specific programming.

Get Involved

Empowering girls in the Wood Buffalo region through 100% cost-free and gender-specific programming.

SMART

Through hands-on, mentor-driven explorations of STEM fields, girls’ academic success is ecouraged and supported.

Girls participate in STEM activities and experiences that develop, expand upon and support their school-based learning and engagement. They are given opportunities to learn, develop skills, build self-confidence, and have fun.

Why are SMART Programs important?

For more information on any of our programs please contact our Program Director at pd@girlsincofnorthernalberta.org

Return to the Program Homepage

Join The Movement

Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is the longest-running  girls’ leadership program in the Wood Buffalo Region.