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STEAAM

Program Overview

  • Thrive Philly's flagship year-round program for teen girls in Philadelphia — 40 weeks of programming
  • Hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Activism, and Mathematics
  • Sisterhood, wellness, and mentorship from Black women already doing the work
  • One enrollment covers the whole year: school-year Wednesdays plus the summer term
Enroll a girl

What STEAAM Includes

SScience
TTechnology
EEngineering
AArts
AActivism
MMathematics

For Students

  • Project-based learning with real-world impact
  • Mentor panels with Black women in STEAAM fields
  • Museum trips and on-site wellness with Pretty Fit Philly
  • Sisterhood with a cohort of girls across Philly
  • Transportation support and safe rides home

For Parents & Guardians

  • Weekly communication and clear deadlines
  • Report-card and progress checkpoints
  • Permission slips and trip details in advance
  • Parent-friendly contact line for every staff member
  • End-of-program survey and family showcase

For Community Members

  • Supported by funders, mentors, and volunteers across Philly
  • Fund a session or sponsor a cohort
  • Join a mentor panel in your field
  • Chaperone a museum trip or field day

Get involved →

One Program, 40 Weeks a Year

  • STEAAM is now a single year-round program — about 40 weeks of programming, start to finish
  • Enroll once and stay with the same cohort, mentors, and staff all year
  • The year runs in two connected terms: Wednesdays during the school year, Tues/Thurs through the summer
The Year at a Glance
Sep 2026 – Sep 2027 · free for teen girls ages 13–18
Sisterhood STEAAM Mentors Wellness Trips
40weeks a year
2connected terms
1enrollment
$0cost to families

School-year term · Sep–Mar

  • Every Wednesday, 4:30–7:30 PM at the Thrive Career Café
  • About 28 sessions of project-based STEAAM learning
  • Homework help and report-card checkpoints
  • Capstone Expo in March

Summer term · Jun–Sep

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus monthly Saturday field trips
  • About 13 weeks, with summer stipends for students
  • HBCU visits, Career Café Brunch, Flourish Fest in late July
  • Capstone Showcase at the close of summer

All year long

  • One cohort and one sisterhood, with no gap between terms
  • Monthly mentor panels with Black women in industry
  • Wellness with Pretty Fit Philly and trauma-informed support
  • Transportation support and safe rides home

Who STEAAM Is For

Girls Self-identifying
Ages 13–18 Middle & high school
C+ or above Current grades
Philly residents Must live in Philadelphia
  • Grades a little lower right now? Reach out anyway
  • We believe in growth and we'll talk with your family about fit

Enroll in STEAAM

⏱ Less than 3 minutes 5 short steps · one question set at a time
  • Open enrollment — apply any time until it closes October 1, 2026
  • Parents and guardians are looped in from the first email
  • STEAAM Wednesdays are free for teen girls — enroll any time of year

Common Questions

When will I know if I'm accepted?

This is an open enrollment. Apply any time until enrollment closes on October 1, 2026, and we'll review and reply on a rolling basis — usually within two weeks. Either way, you'll hear from us by email, and so will your parent/guardian.

Do I need to attend an interest meeting first?

No. STEAAM runs every Wednesday and you can enroll straight from this page. Have questions? Email us and we'll walk your family through it.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. STEAAM is free for accepted students all 40 weeks. Summer-term participants receive stipends and transportation support; Wednesday students receive safe rides home after dark.

What if my grades dip below C+ during the program?

We don't kick anyone out for a tough semester. We do require an honest report-card checkpoint each quarter so we can pair you with tutoring support if needed.

Do I have to live in Philadelphia?

Yes. STEAAM is exclusively for girls who live in Philadelphia. We ask for your ZIP code on the enrollment form to confirm residency.

Can I apply for both Fall and Summer?

Yes — and we love when girls stay through the full year. Just pick "Both" on the enrollment form. Many of our strongest cohorts come from year-round students.

I'm a parent — how do I get involved?

Come with her on a Wednesday — families are welcome. Parents and guardians are also invited to the family showcase, capstone events, and quarterly check-ins. We have a parent volunteer pathway too — email info@thrivephilly.org.

Help STEAAM Thrive

  • STEAAM runs because our community shows up
  • Cover a session, mentor a cohort, or chaperone a field trip
  • Every contribution builds a Philly girl's future
Fund a Session Volunteer 💜

Questions about funding levels or volunteer pathways? Email info@thrivephilly.org.