SECURE-HER

The specific problem within the Gender Equity in STEM Challenge we are working to solve is the underrepresentation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields with primary emphasis on women in STEM- especially women of color.  While progress has been made over the years to encourage more women to pursue STEM careers, there is still a significant gender gap that needs to be addressed.

The scale of the problem in the communities we work in within the US is substantial.  According to data from the National Science Foundation (NSF), women make up approximately 28% of the STEM workforce in the United States.  This underrepresentation is further pronounced in particular STEM disciplines, such as computer science and engineering, where the participation of women is notably lower.

Many individuals feel the impact of the gender gap in STEM.  Women interested in and capable of pursuing STEM careers often face barriers that hinder their progress.  These barriers include societal stereotypes, lack of role models, unconscious biases, and unequal access to opportunities and resources.  As a result, many women are discouraged from pursuing STEM fields or face challenges in advancing their careers once they enter the industry.

Our solution directly relates to addressing the factors contributing to the problem of gender equity in STEM.  By providing a platform that offers mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources specifically tailored to support women in STEM, we aim to empower and encourage more women to pursue and succeed in these fields.  Through our solution, we strive to break down women’s barriers by connecting them with mentors who can provide the following:

• Guidance.
• They are offering a supportive community where they can share experiences and challenges.
• They are providing access to resources that enhance their skills and knowledge.

It is important to note that the problem of gender equity in STEM extends beyond just the communities we are working in.  It is a national issue that requires collective efforts to address.  According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise a significant portion of the workforce but are underrepresented in STEM occupations.  Closing the gender gap in STEM benefits individual women by providing equal opportunities for career growth and financial stability and contributes to a more diverse and innovative workforce that can tackle complex global challenges.

By providing support, resources, and opportunities for women in STEM, our solution aims to make a meaningful impact in bridging the gender gap and fostering gender equity in STEM fields, thereby creating a more inclusive and diverse STEM community in the US.  As a current undergraduate student pursuing a STEM degree, I have recognized first-hand the struggle, gender-biasedness, and insecurities women face.  This is why I have decided to help stop this absurdity.

Our solution is an online platform that provides mentorship, resources, and a supportive community for women and girls pursuing STEM careers.  Though we mainly focus on secondary-early undergraduate levels, all ages are welcome to participate.

The platform connects aspiring women and girls with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, advice, and support.  Users can browse profiles of available mentors and choose the ones that align with their interests and goals.  Mentors can share their experiences, provide career advice, and offer encouragement to help mentees navigate their STEM journeys.
In addition to mentorship, our platform offers a range of resources such as articles, videos, and tutorials related to STEM fields.  These resources cover various topics, from academic subjects to career development tips, helping users enhance their knowledge and skills in STEM.

The platform also facilitates a supportive community where users can engage with like-minded individuals, join discussion forums, and participate in virtual events.  This community fosters connections, promotes networking, and provides a safe space for women and girls to share their experiences and challenges in STEM.

Technology-wise, the platform leverages AI algorithms to match mentees with suitable mentors based on their interests, background, and career aspirations.  It uses a user-friendly interface that allows easy navigation and interaction with mentors, resources, and the community.
Our solution empowers women and girls by providing them with the necessary support, mentorship, and resources to succeed in STEM.  It creates a nurturing environment where they can learn, grow, and connect with others who share their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The target population we are working to improve directly and meaningfully is undergraduate college students, and with SECURE-HER, we strongly emphasize undergraduate women pursuing STEM.  These students pursue higher education, seeking knowledge, personal growth, and future opportunities.  We understand that their lives are multi-faceted, encompassing academics, social interactions, and career aspirations.  We aim to create a solution that addresses their unique needs and empowers them to thrive in all aspects of their college experience.

We have engaged in extensive research and user feedback collection to understand their needs.  We have conducted surveys, interviews, and focus groups with undergraduate college students from various institutions to gain insights into their challenges, pain points, and aspirations.  We have observed their behavior, listened to their concerns, and incorporated feedback into our solution’s development process.

We have established current relationships with student organizations and academic advisors to gain deeper insights into the specific challenges faced by undergraduate college students.  By collaborating with these valuable resources, we have been able to tailor our solution to address the unique needs of the target population more effectively.
Our solution is designed to address the diverse needs of undergraduate college students in several ways.  We provide personalized recommendations for resources, study materials, and extracurricular activities through AI-driven algorithms.  This helps students access relevant and valuable information to support their academic pursuits and interests.
Our solution facilitates meaningful connections among students.  By utilizing AI technology, we match students based on their academic interests, extracurricular activities, and shared goals.  This enables them to form relationships, collaborate on projects, perspective interests, and continuously network.  This fosters a sense of belonging, encourages collaboration, and strengthens the learning experience.

Additionally, our solution addresses the challenges of time management and productivity.  With AI-powered features like personalized recommendations, reminders, and resources (our favorite 3 R’s), students can better manage their coursework, prioritize tasks, and optimize learning outcomes.  This empowers them to maintain a healthy work-life balance, reduce stress, and maximize productivity.

Our continuous engagement with the target population ensures that their voices are heard, and their needs are at the forefront of our solution’s development.  By incorporating their feedback and actively involving them in the co-creation process, we strive to create a solution that meets their expectations and enhances their college experience.  We want students to feel secure in every endeavor, whether socially, mentally, or educationally. 

As a team of STEM majors and individuals pursuing various STEM degrees at different institutions, including HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), we deeply understand the communities we aim to serve.  Our proximity to these communities allows us to bring firsthand experiences and insights into the design and delivery of our solution.

The Team Lead and our diverse team members represent the target population in several ways.  We come from different backgrounds, cultures, and educational institutions, giving us a broad perspective on the challenges and needs of women and girls in STEM.  Many of us have experienced gender disparities, biases, and limited opportunities in these fields.  This proximity allows us to empathize with the struggles and aspirations of our target population, enabling us to develop a solution that genuinely meets their needs.
We engage in ongoing dialogue and feedback collection to understand the needs of the communities we serve.  We conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups with women and girls in STEM, seeking their insights and perspectives.  We actively listen to their concerns, challenges, and aspirations, ensuring that their voices shape the design and implementation of our solution.

We also collaborate with educational institutions, organizations, and community leaders who work closely with the target population.  By forging partnerships and establishing connections, we gain deeper insights into the specific needs and experiences of women and girls in STEM.  This collaborative approach ensures that our solution aligns with the agendas and priorities of the communities we aim to serve.

Meaningful community input is a cornerstone of our solution’s design and implementation.  We actively involve the target population in the co-creation process, seeking their ideas, input, and feedback at every stage of development.  Their perspectives guide our decision-making and shape our platform’s features, functionalities, and content.  We hold workshops, focus groups, and beta testing sessions to gather feedback and ensure our solution addresses their needs and aspirations.

Though we are still in the beginning stages, we have effectively done the following: 

1. Prototype Development: We have already started to develop an efficient working prototype of our web-based platform.  This prototype showcases our solution’s core features and functionalities, allowing us to gather feedback and make iterative improvements based on user testing and input.  Users can collect information from our website and subscribe for future updates.
2. User Testing and Feedback: We have conducted user testing sessions with representatives from the target population, including women and girls in STEM, to gather their feedback and validate the effectiveness of our solution.  This iterative process has allowed us to refine our platform based on real-world user experiences and needs.
3. Roadmap and Sustainability: We have developed a comprehensive roadmap for our solution’s development and growth.  This includes expanding our user base, enhancing features based on user feedback, and establishing a sustainable model that ensures our solution’s long-term viability and impact.

Next, we are currently working on the following: 

1. Partnerships and Collaborations: We are continuously establishing partnerships and collaborations with educational institutions, organizations, and community leaders who work with women and girls in STEM.  These partnerships will provide us with valuable insights, access to resources, and opportunities for collaboration, further solidifying the implementation and impact of our solution.
2. Pilot Programs: We have started planning pilot programs in select educational institutions and communities to test and validate the effectiveness of our solution in real-world settings.  These pilot programs will allow us to gather data, measure impact, and make necessary adjustments to ensure the success and scalability of our solution.
3. User Engagement and Adoption: We are developing and strengthening our connections with the target population through various channels, such as social media, online communities, and events.  This will be a valuable asset in retaining more noticeability and future partners/investors, indicating the relevance and appeal of our solution to the intended users.

As a startup, securing funding is crucial for our growth and sustainability.  Solve, and Tiger Global Impact Ventures can provide us with the financial support we need to scale our solution.  Their investment and expertise in impact-driven ventures can unlock opportunities for us to access the necessary resources, build infrastructure, and expand our reach to more communities in need.

 Developing and implementing a robust solution requires technical expertise and resources.  Through their networks and partnerships, Solve, and Tiger Global Impact Ventures can connect us with industry experts, mentors, and technical advisors who can guide us in overcoming technical challenges.  Their support can help us refine our technology, ensure scalability, and optimize our solution’s performance to meet the needs of our target population.

Legal barriers can often pose challenges for innovative solutions like ours.  With their experience navigating legal frameworks, Solve and Tiger Global Impact Ventures can provide us with legal guidance and support.  They can help us address intellectual property, data protection, and compliance issues, ensuring that our solution adheres to regulatory requirements while maintaining a solid ethical foundation.

Presenter: Cultural barriers can significantly impact the acceptance and adoption of our solution.  Solve, and Tiger Global Impact Ventures understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusion.  They can assist us in conducting community outreach and engagement programs to build trust and bridge cultural gaps.  Their expertise in addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion can help us design and implement a solution that resonates with the communities we aim to serve.

Entering and navigating markets can be challenging, especially for a solution like ours.  Solve, and Tiger Global Impact Ventures can provide us with market insights, connections, and strategic guidance.  They can help us identify market opportunities, develop partnerships with key stakeholders, and create compelling marketing and distribution strategies to ensure our solution reaches its full potential.
 I know that with the assistance of Solve and Tiger Global, SECURE-HER can break down barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable future.

Our Team Lead, Miss Kamina Griffin, an undergraduate STEM student pursuing engineering at the number one HBCU, Spelman College, located in Atlanta, Georgia, has a solid connection to the community where our project is based.  By way of Jackson, Mississippi, she understands first-hand the lack of STEM pursuance by young women in secondary schooling. Through her involvement as a volunteer at local Georgia public schools specializing in STEM, she actively engages with students, educators, and administrators, gaining firsthand insights into the challenges and needs of the community.

By volunteering at these schools, our Team Lead builds relationships with students, mentors them, and participates in STEM-related activities and events.  She is primarily involved in the West End community surrounding a higher-than-average minority population rate.  This direct engagement allows her to understand the educational landscape, the aspirations of young students, and the barriers they face in pursuing STEM fields.
Additionally, our Team Lead’s involvement in various organizations and clubs, both STEM-related and outside of STEM, at Spelman College further deepens her connection to the community.  She collaborates with fellow students, faculty members, and community organizations to promote STEM education, diversity, and inclusion.

Through her engagement and involvement, our team lead actively listens to the voices of the community, understands their experiences, and identifies their unique needs.  She brings this community-driven perspective to our team, ensuring that our project is tailored to address the specific challenges faced by the local Georgia community.

Overall, our team actively seeks input from community members throughout the project development process.  We conduct focus groups, gather feedback, and collaborate with local organizations and leaders to ensure our solution aligns with the community’s priorities and values.
By leveraging our Team Lead’s direct involvement in local schools, organizations, and clubs, we ensure that our project is connected to the community in which it is based.  This deep connection and understanding are essential for developing a solution that truly meets the needs and aspirations of the community.

Overall, SECURE leverages AI technology to revolutionize the process of connecting undergraduate students in a social networking app that combines elements of both resource-sharing and dating platforms.

Unlike traditional networking apps or platforms focusing solely on connecting individuals based on shared interests or professional goals, our solution recognizes the importance of holistic student development and support.  By incorporating dating app elements, we create a more engaging and personalized experience, facilitating meaningful connections beyond academics.

Our platform utilizes AI algorithms to match students based on various factors, including academic interests, extracurricular activities, hobbies, and personal preferences.  This comprehensive approach allows users to form connections beyond their immediate circles and fosters a supportive and inclusive community.

AI technology enables us to provide tailored recommendations and resources to users, helping them discover relevant opportunities, events, scholarships, and mentorship programs.  By curating personalized content, we empower students to make informed decisions and maximize their educational experience.

Furthermore, our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts within the education and networking space.  Combining the functionalities of a social networking app and a resource-sharing platform bridges the gap between academic and social aspects, promoting a holistic approach to student development.

Through our platform, students can access valuable resources, form mentorship relationships, find study groups, and establish meaningful connections that positively impact their personal and professional growth.  By fostering a supportive and collaborative community, our solution encourages knowledge sharing, peer support, and the exchange of ideas among students.  And because SECURE-HER will be a particular feature, the following innovative ways will be performed but just for women in STEM to be matched with other women in STEM settings.

Regarding market impact, our solution could change the landscape of networking platforms for undergraduate students.  By redefining the concept of networking beyond professional connections, we tap into the intrinsic social nature of students’ lives and create an environment where academic and personal development go hand in hand.

This shift in approach has the potential to attract a broader user base, including students who may have felt disconnected or excluded from traditional networking platforms.  By promoting inclusivity, diversity, and a sense of belonging, our solution can create a positive ripple effect within the market, inspiring other platforms to adopt a more comprehensive and student-centric approach.

Our impact goals for the SECURE-HER feature within our services are centered around supporting and empowering women and girls in STEM throughout their educational and professional journeys.  The aim is to create an exceptional service that addresses their unique needs and challenges, ultimately leading to increased support and representation in the field over the next year and the next five years.

To achieve these goals, we have a comprehensive plan in place:

1. User Engagement: We will actively engage with women and girls in STEM through targeted outreach, partnerships with educational institutions, and collaborations with organizations focused on gender equity in STEM.  By understanding their specific needs, aspirations, and challenges, we can tailor our services to provide the most effective support.
2. SECURE-HER Feature Development: We will continuously enhance and refine the feature based on user feedback and evolving requirements.  This will involve incorporating advanced security measures, providing resources and tools for online safety, and creating a supportive and inclusive online community for women and girls in STEM.
3. Education and Awareness: We will launch awareness campaigns to educate women and girls in STEM about the importance of online security and privacy.  This will include workshops, webinars, and informative content to equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate online platforms safely.
4. Mentorship and Support: We will establish mentorship programs and provide resources for women and girls in STEM, connecting them with experienced professionals and offering guidance and support throughout their educational and professional journeys.  This will foster a sense of community and create opportunities for networking and collaboration.
5. Partnerships and Advocacy: We will collaborate with organizations, industry leaders, and policymakers to advocate for gender equity in STEM and drive systemic changes.  By partnering with like-minded entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 Companies, we can amplify our impact and create a more supportive and inclusive environment for women and girls in STEM.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation: We will continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of our SECURE-HER feature and overall services to ensure we meet our goals and make a measurable difference.  This will involve collecting data, analyzing user feedback, and making data-driven improvements to enhance the effectiveness of our services.

By executing these strategies, we aim to build a strong foundation of support and resources for women and girls in STEM.  Our exceptional SECURE-HER service will gain recognition and trust over the next year and the next five years, attracting more women and girls to join our platform.  With increased support and a nurturing online community, more women and girls will feel empowered to pursue and thrive in STEM fields, leading to more excellent representation and diversity in the industry.

Some of the ways that we have planned to implement success with SECURE-HER and SECURE overall are through:

1. User Engagement Metrics: Track user engagement within the SECURE-HER feature and overall platform, including the number of active users, frequency of logins, and time spent on the forum.  These metrics indicate women and girls’ interest in and involvement in STEM in utilizing your services.
2. User Satisfaction Surveys: Conduct regular user satisfaction surveys to gather feedback on the effectiveness and usability of the SECURE-HER feature.  This can help assess user satisfaction levels, identify areas for improvement, and understand your services’ impact on women and girls in STEM.
3. Impact Surveys: Administer impact surveys to gather data on the perceived impact of your services.  These surveys can measure changes in confidence and support received, sense of community, and overall well-being of women and girls in STEM.  Comparing survey results over time can provide insights into the effectiveness of your initiatives.
4. Tracking Key Metrics: Define key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your impact goals.  These could include the number of mentorship connections made, resources accessed, incidents reported, or positive feedback received.  Regularly track and analyze these metrics to gauge progress and identify areas for further improvements.
5. Longitudinal Studies: Conduct longitudinal studies to track the educational and professional trajectories of women and girls who have utilized your services.  This can help measure the long-term impact of your initiatives on their academic performance, career choices, and overall success in STEM fields.
6. Partnerships and Collaborations: Assess the success and impact of partnerships and collaborations with educational institutions, organizations, and industry stakeholders.  Measure the outcomes of joint initiatives and evaluate how they contribute to your impact goals.
7. Case Studies and Success Stories: Share compelling case studies and success stories of women and girls who have benefited from your services.  These narratives can highlight your positive impact and provide tangible evidence of your progress.
8. Feedback and Testimonials: Regularly collect feedback and testimonials from users, mentors, educators, and other stakeholders.  These qualitative insights can provide valuable perspectives on the impact of your services and help refine your strategies.

By combining quantitative and qualitative measures, you can comprehensively understand your progress toward your impact goals.  Continuously monitor and analyze these metrics, make data-driven adjustments, and iterate on your initiatives to maximize your impact and create a meaningful difference in the lives of women and girls in STEM.

Our solution aims to positively impact the problem by providing a safe and supportive platform for women and girls in STEM.  Here’s how and why we expect our solution to make a difference:

1. Building a Supportive Community: Our platform creates a community where women and girls in STEM can connect, share experiences, and support each other.  By fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie, we aim to boost confidence and provide emotional support, helping individuals navigate the challenges they may face.
2. Empowering Access to Resources: We provide many resources, such as mentorship programs, educational materials, and networking opportunities.  By offering these resources, we empower women and girls in STEM to enhance their skills, explore new options, and access the support they need to thrive in their educational and professional endeavors.
3. Addressing Online Security Concerns: Our SECURE-HER feature focuses explicitly on addressing online security concerns women and girls face.  By implementing advanced security measures, educating users about online safety, and fostering a secure environment, we aim to alleviate worries and ensure a safe space for interaction and engagement.
4. Encouraging Representation and Diversity: Through our platform, we actively promote and celebrate the achievements of women in STEM.  By highlighting success stories, showcasing diverse role models, and advocating for equal opportunities, we seek to inspire more women and girls to pursue STEM fields, ultimately contributing to increased representation and diversity within the industry.
5. Collaborating and Advocating for Change: We cooperate with educational institutions, organizations, and industry leaders to advocate for gender equity in STEM.  By working together, we aim to drive systemic changes, break down barriers, and create a more inclusive environment that supports and empowers women and girls throughout their STEM journeys.

By providing a supportive community, empowering access to resources, addressing online security concerns, encouraging representation and diversity, and advocating for change, our solution can significantly and positively impact the lives of women and girls in STEM.

It is tech-based, and the core technology that powers it is Artificial Intelligence (AI).  AI enables us to create an innovative and personalized platform that caters to the unique needs of our users.  Here’s how AI technology is integrated into our solution:

A. Intelligent Matching: AI algorithms analyze user profiles, preferences, and relevant data to facilitate intelligent individual matching.  This ensures that users are connected with like-minded peers, mentors, or resources that align with their interests, goals, and background.

B. Recommendation Systems: AI-driven recommendation systems analyze user behavior, interactions, and feedback to provide personalized recommendations for resources, events, scholarships, and mentorship programs.  These recommendations help users discover relevant opportunities that align with their educational and professional aspirations.

C. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP algorithms enable our platform to understand and interpret user-generated content, such as profile descriptions, messages, and forum discussions.  This helps us ensure a seamless and meaningful user experience by facilitating effective communication and information sharing.

D. Data Analysis and Insights: AI technologies process and analyze vast amounts of data generated on our platform.  This data analysis helps us gain insights into user behavior, engagement patterns, and overall platform performance.  These insights drive decision-making, allowing us to improve the user experience and optimize our services.

E. Security and Privacy Measures: AI-powered security systems help us identify and mitigate potential risks, threats, or fraudulent activities on the platform.  Through anomaly detection and pattern recognition, we can proactively protect user data and maintain a secure environment for our community.

By leveraging AI technology, we can provide an intelligent, personalized, and secure platform that enhances the user experience, facilitates meaningful connections, and empowers users to maximize their educational and professional journeys.

1 Full-Time Staff Worker

4 Part-Time Staff Workers

We have overall been working on SECURE for almost a year and SECURE-HER for around two months.

1. Representation: We actively strive to represent and celebrate diverse voices and perspectives within our platform.  90% of our team consists of black women.  60% are pursuing STEM.  REPRESENTATION MATTERS!  This includes showcasing various role models, highlighting success stories from underrepresented communities, and promoting inclusive narratives that inspire and empower users.
2. User-Centric Design: Our platform uses a user-centric approach that considers diverse individuals’ needs, preferences, and experiences.  We conduct user research, collect feedback, and engage with our community to ensure our services are inclusive, intuitive, and accessible to users with different abilities, languages, and cultural backgrounds.
3. Safe and Inclusive Environment: We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, or hate speech on our platform.  We implement strong community guidelines and moderation processes to foster a safe and inclusive environment where users can freely express themselves, engage in meaningful discussions, and seek support without fear of prejudice or bias.
4. Collaborations and Partnerships: We actively seek alliances and partnerships with organizations, institutions, and communities that champion diversity, equity, and inclusivity.  By working together, we can amplify our impact; leverage shared resources, ensure our initiatives align with the broader DEI goals and agendas, and build great continuous trust.
5. Accessibility: We strive to make our platform accessible to individuals with different abilities.  This includes implementing screen reader compatibility, adjustable font sizes, and alternative image text.  We also adhere to web accessibility standards to ensure that our platform is usable by individuals with visual, hearing, or motor impairments.
6. Continuous Learning and Improvement: We recognize that DEI is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to continuously learning, evolving, and improving our practices.  We actively seek feedback from our users and engage in dialogue with diverse stakeholders to identify areas for growth, address any biases, and refine our strategies to serve our diverse community better.
7. By integrating these principles into our work, we aim to create an inclusive and equitable environment that fosters equal opportunities, celebrates diversity, and empowers all individuals to thrive in their educational and professional pursuits.

Our business model is based on a freemium model, where we offer a basic set of services for free to all users and provide additional premium features for a subscription fee.  Here’s an overview of our business model:

1. Freemium Access: We provide a free version of our platform that offers essential features and resources to all users.  This allows us to reach a broad audience and create a strong community of individuals interested in our mission.
2. Premium Subscription: We offer a premium subscription plan that provides subscribers with enhanced features and exclusive benefits.  The premium plan is priced at a monthly or annual subscription fee, providing users with additional value and advanced functionalities that enhance their experience on the platform.

1. Revenue Generation: Our business primarily comes from our premium subscription fees.  This revenue stream enables us to invest in further development, maintenance, and improvement of our platform, ensuring a high-quality user experience for all our users.
2. Partnerships and Sponsorships: We explore strategic partnerships and sponsorships with relevant organizations, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders.  These collaborations can provide additional revenue opportunities through sponsored content, targeted advertising, or co-branded initiatives.
3. Data and Analytics: We may leverage anonymized and aggregated user data (in compliance with privacy regulations) to generate insights and analytics.  This data can be utilized to identify trends, improve user experience, and offer data-driven solutions or services to partner organizations or institutions.
4. Grants and Funding: We actively seek grants and funding opportunities from foundations, government programs, and impact-driven organizations that align with our mission.  These external funding sources can support our operations, research, and expansion efforts, enabling us to reach more individuals and make a broader impact.

Our business model ensures sustainability and growth while allowing us to provide a valuable platform and services to our users.  By balancing free access with premium features, we aim to create a thriving community and a sustainable revenue stream that supports our offerings’ continuous improvement and expansion.

Currently, our founder was an awardee from the HBCU Tour Pitch Competition with Black Ambition, Tech Stars, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund, where she won around $2,000 in personal funding that she has invested into SECURE.  We are currently applying for more funding.