As high school freshmen, these girls were intimidated by the all-male Programming Club at their school. Their solution? They started a coding club of their own.
Produced by Emma Cousineau, Ankur Kela, Vyjayanti Munagala and Cindy Zhang, students at San Mateo High School in San Mateo, California.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educator Patsy Fergusson.
A year ago, Elijah Durand never would have dreamed of joining his high school color guard. Now the only boy on the team, Elijah appreciates the creative expression, weaponry and competition involved in interpreting music and entertaining an audience.
Produced by Ashley Martinez, Erica Holm, Caroline Munoz and Demetri Yanes, students at Communications Arts High School in San Antonio, Texas.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educator Heidi Whitus.
Mentor support provided by Matt Ehrichs, Thaisi Da Silva and Jordan Vesey of the PBS NewsHour.
High school students Channell Rogers and Sierra Buster refuse to let gender stereotypes prevent them from pursuing a hobby they both enjoy, building, and a career goal they both aspire to, the construction business.
Produced by Jayla Hope, Jute’ius Jasper and Timia Moore, students at Hughes STEM High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educators Melissa Sherman.
Mentor support provided by Jason Dennison and Tim Kraus of CET.
Eva Klein never felt she had to “dress like a girl”, so why should she think twice about the sports she wants to play? With her mother’s support, Eva decided to play on all-boys football and rugby teams and is now being recruited by colleges around the country.
Produced by Avery Schroeder and Eva Klein, students at West Ranch High School in Santa Clarita, California.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educator Jennifer Overdevest.
Station support provided by PBS SoCal.
What started as making pillows in his mom’s basement turned into a clothes-designing passion that ultimately landed Zack Lindsey a spot on “Project Runway Junior.”
Produced by Abigail Anderson, Jailen Leavel and Roberto Mayo, students at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educators Mary Dunn.
Mentor support provided by Kentucky Educational Television.
At Etiwanda High School, freshman Aleena Gomez and junior Harley Liera are the only girls on the school wrestling team. As female competitors, they also often grapple with the masculine stereotypes associated with the sport.
Produced by Amanda Bonet.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educator Bernadine Judson.
Station support provided by PBS SoCal.
Sean Varner began taking dance classes at age 6. Despite teasing from his peers, Varner dances ballet, tap, jazz, broadway and hip hop as a way to cope with anxiety.
Produced by Pam Kapolka, a sophomore at Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educator Chris Schwalm.
Station support provided by WITF.
Kalei Kipp is the only girl in Cedar Crest High School’s welding program. Even though only three percent of welders in the U.S. are women, instructor Mr. Grumbine says the few girls that have taken his class are some of his best students. Kalei is seriously considering a career in the field despite the lack of female representation and its reputation as a “man’s” job.
Produced by Jordan Brown, a sophomore at Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educator Chris Schwalm.
Station support provided by WITF.
What’s it like to be a female mechanic? Sofia Rodriguez is an 18-year-old Texas native who currently works at both Jiffy Lube and Dynamic Motor Repair. Working in a male-dominated field can be challenging however, Sofia says “bring it on.”
Produced by Luisa Garcia and Karen Lopez, students at Manor High School in Manor, Texas.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educator Rakeda Ervin.
Mentor support provided by Allie Sandza of KLRU.
After struggling in school, Brandi Blackshear became a member of the YouthBuild program in Louisville, Kentucky. Although there aren’t as many females in construction, the program has shown Brandi how to set goals and think about a better future.
Produced by students at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educators Mary Dunn.
Mentor support provided by Kentucky Educational Television.
