Youth STEM Education
Hands-on STEM programs and mentors give young people room to explore, practice, and build confidence.
Explore STEM
Explore this pathway →Expose. Equip. Empower.
Empowering Black and Brown girls through STEM.
We create hands-on STEM programs, mentorship, career exploration, and workforce opportunities that help young people build confidence.
- Students
- Families
- Schools
- Community partners
Who we are
Helping girls build confidence through STEM.
Building Bridges, Inc. was created to empower young girls through STEM education and confidence-building. We fill gaps in access, knowledge, and self-confidence so girls can pursue what interests them in STEM and beyond.
Black and Brown girls are still at the center of our work. Our programs also welcome youth of every race and gender.
Read our history and mission →What we do
Three connected pathways
Explore STEM → Discover possibilities → Build skills → Enter the workforce.
Career Exploration
The Building a Bridge to the Future You! game, career panels, and conversations with STEM professionals help young people discover careers they may not know.
Discover possibilities
Explore this pathway →Workforce Development
Mentorship, internships, leadership, and real projects help young people build skills and gain work experience.
Build skills → Enter the workforce
Explore this pathway →Our impact since 2018
Some of our stats
Since 2018, we’ve reached thousands of young people and families through programs, events, partnerships, and conferences.
- youth and parents
- 10,000+
- events
- 550+
- STEM programs
- 25+
- partnerships and collaborations
- 35+
- STEM conferences
- 5
Signature programs & experiences
Hands-on learning for schools, groups, and communities
Students build, test, ask questions, and learn alongside mentors.
Building Self-Awareness Through STEM
Students explore the biology and chemistry of skin and hair while making personal-care products to take home.
Food Science
Students explore food science through activities such as candy making, fruit oxidation, beverage chemistry, and extracting DNA from fruit.
Engineering
Students build bridges and STEM cars, explore robotics and circuits, and practice coding through hands-on challenges.
Upcoming event
BYOB: Bring Your Own Backpack! Back to School Event
Monday, August 17, 2026 · 4:00–6:00 PM
Southside STEM Station, 1520 East Harper Court, Chicago, IL 60615
Students can bring their own backpack and choose free school supplies while families enjoy hands-on STEM activities, explore Southside STEM Station, and connect with their community.
120career profiles
An adaptive interest quiz, career information, and interactive activities.
Career exploration · Building a Bridge to the Future You!
A career game created by Building Bridges.
Building a Bridge to the Future You! helps students connect their interests with 120 career profiles, compare education and pay information, and try interactive activities.
Partners & collaborators
Our partners help bring STEM into schools and communities.
Schools, universities, companies, museums, and community organizations make this work possible.
Get involved
How do you want to work with us?
Schools & educators
Bring a program, camp, family night, or extended learning experience to your community.
Explore programs →Parents & students
Find upcoming experiences and see what hands-on STEM looks like across the community.
See events →STEM professionals
Share your time, career story, or professional skills as a volunteer or mentor.
Volunteer →Companies & funders
Partner, sponsor, or support STEM education, career exploration, and workforce development.
Build a partnership →