InovateHER is a three-day residential STEM camp designed to counter the decline in young women’s interest in mathematics and science during the transition to high school. Many girls lose confidence at this stage due to limited exposure to real-world applications and uncertainty about belonging in STEM spaces.

The program offers immersive, hands-on exploration across five career pathways. Twenty-five rising ninth‑grade girls will live and learn on Marshall University’s campus, completing discipline‑specific projects in engineering, computer science, medicine, and cybersecurity. Organized career tracks provide sustained engagement with mentors, collaborative problem‑solving, and authentic applied challenges.

Path Information

At InnovateHER, students don’t just learn about STEM careers, they experience them. Through immersive, hands-on challenges, participants take on the role of engineers, healthcare professionals, cybersecurity analysts, and technology designers as they work together to solve realistic problems inspired by industry. Guided by mentors, students analyze information, test solutions, make decisions, and present their findings. Every activity is designed to build confidence, strengthen critical thinking skills, and demonstrate how STEM professionals tackle real-world challenges.

Students explore how engineers design and improve the infrastructure that supports everyday life. Through team-based challenges, they evaluate design options, balance competing priorities, and develop solutions for community-focused projects.

Students examine how machines and systems work while solving engineering design challenges. They learn how performance, cost, and efficiency influence real-world engineering decisions.

Students learn how organizations protect digital information by investigating simulated security incidents, identifying risks, and developing strategies to defend systems and data.

Students explore digital innovation through product design, problem-solving, and technology-driven thinking. They’ll develop ideas, organize information, and create solutions that put users first.

Students step into the role of healthcare professionals, using evidence, observation, and critical thinking to investigate patient cases and explore medical decision-making.

Do you know a rising 9th grade student who'd like to participate?

Stay tuned for announcements about student registration. If you have questions, feel free to contact Sydney Barbour at barbours@marshall.edu

Volunteer Information

Volunteer applications will be posted on this page! Stay tuned, October 31!

If you are-

-A junior or senior studying engineering, mathematics, physics, biology, or similar programs

-Have internship experience

-Have worked with or interested in working with high school students

-Have excel proficiency

What motivated you to pursue your STEM career?

What skills can you bring to inspire young women to pursue a career in STEM?

How do you stay motivated in your career or degree program?

What drew you to volunteering?

If you are interested in applying, have questions, or want to chat, contact our Volunteer Coordinator!

Aliyah Quinet
email- quinet2@marshall.edu

Interested in donating or sponsoring?

Feeling inspired by our initiative?

If you would like to donate, help supply materials, or generally support our camp, please contact Emmalee Holt or Lacie Brenner at their emails below!

brenner1@marshall.edu
holt87@marshall.edu