2.6 "STEM Challenge: Design a Mentorship App"

Objective: Students will use their STEM skills to design a prototype for a mentorship app that connects women in STEM. 

Instructions: 

• Divide students into small teams and ask them to design an app or platform that connects young women interested in STEM with mentors in the field. 
• Teams should consider features like: 
• How mentees and mentors are matched 
• What types of resources or advice will be shared 
• How the platform ensures diversity and accessibility 
• Students can create mock-up designs on paper or using free digital tools. 
• Each team will present their prototype, explaining how it addresses the gender gap in STEM and fosters meaningful mentorship relationships. 

Discussion Questions: 

• How can technology be used to support mentorship in STEM? 
• What challenges might arise when creating a platform like this, and how could they be solved? 
• What other innovative solutions can technology offer to address gender inequality in STEM? 

Extension: Consider turning the best app ideas into real projects, encouraging students to work on coding or developing a more detailed business plan for the app.