During Collaborative Appreciation Week, we are recognizing the work of NGCP Collaboratives across the country. These 33 Collaboratives support 41 states and connect local girl-serving STEM programs through a shared mission to advance access in STEM.
Collaboratives operate at the local level but are part of a broader national network. They bring together educators, researchers, nonprofit leaders, and industry partners who are working toward the same goal. By creating space for connection and shared learning, they help programs grow stronger and reach more girls in meaningful ways.
Each Collaborative reflects the needs of its region. Some focus on expanding access in rural communities, while others build pathways into STEM careers or support informal learning environments. Across all of them, there is a consistent emphasis on collaboration, resource sharing, and increasing visibility for local opportunities.
Their work shows up in many ways. Collaboratives host events that bring practitioners together, distribute regional newsletters to keep communities informed, and provide mini-grants that help programs expand their reach. They also play a key role in connecting organizations that might not otherwise work together, strengthening the overall STEM ecosystem in their states.
In Louisiana, this kind of connection is happening through consistent communication and resource sharing. In partnership with NGCP, the Louisiana STEM Collaborative produces a monthly newsletter that delivers opportunities and tools to stakeholders across the state. The response has been strong. As one partner shared, “I’m so excited about the STEM activity library you shared. I appreciate all you do across Louisiana.” Others noted how the newsletter supports rural students, highlights work with underserved communities and introduces new opportunities they can bring back to their programs, from grant funding to hands-on STEM activities.
NGCP supports this work by providing structure, resources, and ongoing guidance. Through national coordination, NGCP shares research-based practices, program models, and tools that Collaboratives can adapt locally. Training and mentorship help leaders build partnerships and sustain their networks over time. This approach allows local efforts to stay responsive to community needs while benefiting from a larger body of knowledge and experience.
“Through this network of Collaboratives, NGCP connects more than 42,500 organizations and has reached over 30 million youth nationwide.”
One example of this work in action is the California Girls STEM Collaborative. NGCP is excited to share that the Collaborative is now led by MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation.
The California Girls STEM Collaborative focuses on building confidence and creating a community of lifelong STEM activators. Through partnerships across the state, they support programs by sharing best practices, research, and program models. Their goal is to strengthen the capacity of organizations while increasing access to high-quality STEM experiences for girls.
Their resources are free and open to programs across California, making it easier for educators and organizations to find support, connect with others, and grow their impact. The Collaborative also invites the community to engage by sharing events, ideas, and opportunities, helping to build a stronger and more connected network statewide.
Learn more about the California Girls STEM Collaborative
Follow the CGSC on Instagram @cagirlsstemcollaborative
Across the country, other Collaboratives are also doing important work. In Montana, the Collaborative is focused on bridging geographic gaps and connecting programs across a largely rural state. As one leader shared, “Our goal as the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative is to help build bridges and create connections among programs across Montana. Our state has so many small towns and rural schools. Programs can sometimes feel isolated from one another and separated from STEM resources that support educators and youth. We strive to see the big picture, connect the dots, and make introductions that help all young people feel connected and inspired.”
That connection extends beyond the state. “Being part of a national network like NGCP means we can bring new programs, thoughts, and inspirations back to Montana while also contributing our own ideas in a welcoming and supportive venue,” said Montana lead, Suzi Taylor. “I’m constantly motivated when I see what other Collaboratives are doing to support their local programs.”
The Montana Girls STEM Collaborative is led by Montana State University, where the work is grounded in a broader mission to serve communities across the state. “As Montana’s land grant university, Montana State University is the perfect home for the Collaborative. We can draw upon its spirit of collaboration while using our state and national network to share research and resources more widely.”
This work matters because lasting changes happen through strong local ecosystems. When programs are connected, they can share what works, avoid duplication, and reach more girls with better resources. Collaboratives make that possible by acting as both connectors and leaders within their regions.
“Change happens when people come together, and that’s exactly what our Collaboratives make possible. They bridge gaps between programs, partners, and communities to ensure young people have access to opportunities and support. It’s this network of connection that makes our work both scalable and deeply local.”
— Karen Peterson, CEO, National Girls Collaborative Project
Collaborative Appreciation Week is a chance to recognize the people and organizations who are doing this work every day. It is also an opportunity to invite others into the network.
If you are part of a girl-serving STEM program, a researcher, an educator, or an industry partner, there is a place for you in this community. Connecting with your local Collaborative is one way to access resources, build partnerships, and contribute to a shared effort to advance equity in STEM.
Collaboratives
Louisiana STEM Collaborative Project
The Louisiana STEM Collaborative Project brings together organizations throughout the state of Louisiana that are committed to informing and motiva
Montana Girls STEM Collaborative
The Montana Girls STEM Collaborative unites Montana organizations that are committed to engaging, inspiring, and supporting girls and other youth w
California Girls STEM Collaborative
The California Girls STEM Collaborative brings together organizations throughout California that are committed to informing and motivating girls to