Rosie Innovators: Lead STEM in Your Community
Rosie Innovators is a high school STEM leadership program that prepares students for future education and careers by putting them in the lead. Participants design and lead hands-on STEM activities for younger students through after-school programs, STEM Nights, and community events.
Part One: Design and Lead STEM Activities
This model strengthens both technical knowledge and workforce-ready skills such as communication, leadership, and project planning. Rosie Innovators operates across multiple communities and states, growing wherever high school students are ready to lead. In Northern Virginia alone this year, up to 20 Rosie Innovators will lead approximately 200 STEM activations, resulting in an estimated 4,000 individual STEM project experiences for younger students.
“We love inviting our Rosie Innovators to our STEM nights. They always come up with great short activities that have a big impact on our students. Our teachers request several of their projects during the school year.”
Leading your first activity is simple:
- Sign up using our Rosie Innovators Interest Form below
- Schedule a brainstorming session with the Rosie Riveters team
- Get feedback and approval on your final project
- Lead your event! We fund the supplies and support you every step of the way
The program can be completed solo or with a group, whatever works best for your goals and community.
Part Two: Career Readiness, Built In
To further support career readiness, Rosie Riveters delivers its annual Women in STEM Career Day, engaging high school students in resume development, mock interviews, and direct interaction with STEM professionals. These experiences help students understand career pathways while building confidence and connections to the regional workforce.
Innovators describe the program as a meaningful step in their workforce preparation:
“I’ve gained valuable skills like crafting a resume and speaking in an interview, and I’ll take them with me into my senior year, use them for my college application, and pursue a career in aerospace engineering.” Calien, Rosie Innovator
“From honing my career skills to receiving feedback on my college application, the program has been indispensable. It’s also helped my confidence and motivation.” Rachel, Rosie Innovator
Case Study: From Student Project to Classroom Curriculum
As part of the Rosie Innovators program, Emma created a hands-on pulley project inspired by her love of mechanical engineering. Designed for elementary students to complete in under 5 minutes, the project was so successful that Rosie Riveters paid Emma to adapt the project for 3rd grade, aligning it with Virginia’s science standards on Simple Machines. It even made its way back to Emma’s former elementary school.
As part of the Rosie Innovators STEM program, Emma created a hands-on pulley project inspired by her love of mechanical engineering. Designed for elementary students to complete in under 5 minutes, the project was so successful that Rosie Riveters licensed and adapted it for 3rd grade, aligning with Virginia’s science standards on Simple Machines. It even made its way to Emma’s former elementary school!