STEM Innovation Academy · STEM for Girls Pathway

Building Skills. Confidence. Possibility.

Same curriculum. Same rigor. Same tools, materials, and projects as every other Orblynx experience, in an intentionally girls-only environment built for mentorship, visibility, and leadership.

The goal goes beyond introducing girls to STEM. It is to give them the room to see themselves designing, building, solving, communicating, and leading within it.

See current sessions About the Academy

Same Academy, Same Standard

One Curriculum. Full Rigor.

STEM for Girls students work through the Academy’s learning framework on every project. Identical projects, identical expectations, identical outcomes:

Explore→Design→Build→Communicate→Impact

Engineering & Intelligent Systems: robotics, electronics, sensors, automation
Regenerative Materials & Bioinnovation: mycelium, biomaterialsReturns in Summer
Human-Centered Design: assistive technology, accessibilityReturns in Spring
Sustainable Systems & Future Communities: energy, smart citiesReturns in Spring

STEM for Girls students working through a project on tablets in the lab

What’s Different Here

The Setting, the Mentors, the Visibility

What changes in this pathway is everything around the curriculum: a cohort built for confidence, leadership and seeing yourself in the field.

Mentorship

Cohorts built for mentorship, including Orblynx alumnae who return from college as interns and mentors.

Confidence

Students take the lead role on every build, driving the tools, the testing and the decisions from day one.

Leadership & Visibility

Cohort members present publicly, compete, publish and mentor younger students, visible proof of girls leading in STEM.

The Cohort

Hear It From the Students

Students testing materials in the Material Engineering and Prototype Testing Lab

Two STEM for Girls students working together on a floor-map robotics challenge

“Being a part of STEM4Girls helped me build confidence in my ability to problem-solve, think creatively, and use STEM to create meaningful change. One of my most memorable experiences was working with a team to design and create a biodegradable bench made from mycelium. Our project went on to receive multiple awards for its innovative and sustainable approach.”

Chinenye Ilodianya · joined in 8th grade, now a junior at the University of Pennsylvania

“When I first joined at 13, I knew I was passionate about science, but I lacked the confidence to see myself pursuing STEM. Orblynx taught me about technology, engineering, and sustainability, but most importantly, it taught me to believe in my ability to become a woman in STEM.”

Elham Fakhro · joined in 7th grade, now a sophomore at The George Washington University

Founded by an Orblynx Student

Girl emPower

Girl emPower was founded by an Orblynx student, the first platform of its kind in Loudoun County, to build leadership among young women in STEM, and beyond, the community. It has grown beyond its founder and continues to run today, creating leadership opportunities for youth who were not there when it started.

A student did not just participate in a program. She built an institution that outlived her participation.

GirlEmpower volunteers and board members at the Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls

Current Offerings

Join the Next Cohort

After-School

Engineering & Intelligent Systems Studio

Grades 6–8 · Thursdays, 3:45–4:45 PM · Sep 22 – Dec 2, 2026 · 9 weeks · $245

OpenRegister

Venture Studio: Idea to Pitch

Grades 8–12 · By invitation · Fall 2026

Invite-OnlySubmit Inquiry

Public Speaking Workshop

Grades 8–12 · By application · Fall 2026

Interested students and families may submit an inquiry to learn more and request an application.

By ApplicationSubmit Inquiry

Research & Publication

Grades 9–12 · By application · Fall 2026

Interested students and families may submit an inquiry to learn more and request an application.

By ApplicationSubmit Inquiry

Assistive Technology Lab

Grades 6–8 · Out of season

Returns in Spring

Sensors & Automation Studio