The Brite Practices provide research-based guidance for supporting the positive STEM identity development of middle and high-school-age girls through online and hybrid learning experiences. The supplementary guide aims to help STEM educators put these practices into action. NGCP led the development of these products in collaboration with Florida State University, Smart Girls HQ, and SJLR Solutions.
Educators can use the Brite Practices in ways that best fit their program goals, audience, and setting. They can be applied as a complete online or hybrid model or integrated individually into existing activities. The examples throughout the guide are flexible and can also be used for in-person programs. We invite educators to adapt these ideas to fit their unique setting. There’s no single way to bring the Brite Practices to life—what matters most is your commitment to creating spaces where every girl feels seen, supported, and inspired to explore her curiosity in STEM.
The Brite Practices and the supplementary guide support educators in fostering girls’ interest, identification, and long-term participation in STEM through online and hybrid learning experiences.
Who is the target audience for the Brite Practices?
STEM educators working with youth in middle school and high school.
Can the Brite Practices be integrated into hybrid and in-person programs?
Yes, the Brite Practices can be integrated into hybrid and in-person programs. The Practices are rooted in the learnings of the Brite Program, which were designed based on three program components that research demonstrates are effective for supporting girls’ STEM identity development in in-person settings and applied them to online and hybrid formats.
What are the goals of the Brite Practices?
The goals of the Brite Practices are to provide research-based guidance to educators to support girls in developing positive STEM identities in online and hybrid program settings.
Do all Brite Practices need to be implemented for a program to be effective?
No, we encourage educators to integrate the practices in ways that work well for their existing programs and meet the needs of the youth they serve.
How do the Brite Practices differ from other research-based learnings for supporting girls' STEM identity development?
The Brite Practices are rooted in the learnings of a specific project, BRITE Girls Online STEM Practices: Building Relevance and Identity to Transform Experiences, a Research in Service to Practice Project funded by the National Science Foundation. The Practices draw on research and analysis from two summer implementations of the Brite Program, an online STEM program, implemented in 2023 and 2024.
Programs and Initiatives
