For spring 2023, we are offering two cohorts of our Emerging Leaders program. This fast-paced, hybrid program introduces high school and college women to high-demand STEM jobs, in an all-female cohort environment. The Emerging Leaders in STEM program is offered at no cost to students thanks to our partners.
The program has two parts: virtual sessions during the school year (spring) and a two-week, in-person laboratory intensive in the summer.
Cohort 5: Emerging Leaders in Engineering (Colorado Springs, CO)
Virtual sessions begin April 15, in-person laboratory intensive is June 26-30, 2023. Learn more >
Cohort 6: Emerging Leaders in Biotechnology (Maryland)
This program will take place across three locations in Maryland: Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, and Baltimore City (students can choose their location). Virtual sessions begin April 15, in-person laboratory intensive sessions will take place in July 2023. Learn more >
Programs will fill quickly, click the links below to learn more about each cohort and submit your application!
What You’ll Get From this Program
- Meet amazing women who are creating the future, today
- Learn laboratory skills that will set you apart when applying to college and that first job
- Practice “soft skills” like making connections and public speaking, which are in super high demand in science jobs
- Make friends who have have similar interests
- Get a completion certificate to add to your résumé or college application
- Join a network of more than 100 female program alumnae, to support you in your career
Hear from our inaugural class of Emerging Leaders what the program meant to them.
Now more than 100 alumnae strong, Learning Undefeated’s Emerging Leaders program was created to connect young women with in-demand STEM content and inspire them towards high-growth careers. Through this rigorous, hybrid learning experience, students meet STEM luminaries from a diverse set of backgrounds, learn advanced techniques using professional laboratory equipment, build career readiness and networking skills, and develop friendships that will support their journey in STEM.
The hybrid program model combines custom-designed At-Home Science Kits provided to each participant introduce students and mentors to common laboratory techniques, with advanced laboratory workshops taught in person onboard one of Learning Undefeated’s mobile laboratories.
Cohort Six: Spring 2023
Cohort Six, Emerging Leaders in Biotechnology program pairs high school and college women as near-peer mentors and connects them with diverse professionals from STEM careers in Maryland and across the greater Washington, DC area, with a focus on DOD-connected careers in STEM fields.
Cohort Five: Spring 2023
Cohort Five, Emerging Leaders in Engineering, program pairs high school and college women as near-peer mentors and connects them with diverse professionals from STEM careers in Colorado, with a focus on computer science and engineering.
Cohort Four: Spring 2022
Cohort Four, Emerging Leaders in Biotechnology program pairs high school and college women as near-peer mentors and connects them with diverse professionals from STEM careers in Maryland and across the greater Washington, DC area, with a focus on DOD-connected careers in STEM fields. Meet one of our cohort four alumnae, who returned to serve as a peer educator for this program.
Cohort Three: Spring 2022
Cohort Three, Emerging Leaders in Biotechnology program pairs high school and college women as near-peer mentors and connects them with diverse professionals from STEM careers in Delaware. In-person laboratory experiences will include insider tours of AstraZeneca’s biomanufacturing facility in Newark.
Cohort Two: Fall 2021
Cohort Two, Emerging Leaders in Biotech + Cyber, program pairs high school and college women as near-peer mentors and connects them with diverse professionals from STEM careers in Montgomery County, Maryland. Participants will learn advanced laboratory techniques and cybersecurity skills while building career readiness and networking skills. This cohort will focus on the high-growth industries biopharma, cybersecurity and biotechnology.
Cohort One: Summer 2021
Read our blog post to learn more about the biotechnology curriculum from our 2021 pilot cohort. During virtual sessions, participants heard from female luminaries in the biotechnology fields, many of whom are creating new solutions for DOD and military service members, with a specific focus on highlighting the contributions of Black, Latina, and Indigenous women. Speaker themes focus on unique challenges faced by women in STEM careers, and ways students can build their confidence to overcome barriers that typically discourage women.
The pilot Emerging Leaders in Biotechnology program included 72 female participants, ages 14-22. Nearly 40 percent of the participants self-identify as African American or Black, 20 percent Hispanic or Latina, and 30 percent Asian. More than half of participants are currently (or will be) first generation college students, and many are considering med school, biology or engineering related fields of study.
