There’s been a lot in the news lately about developing women’s opportunities in technical and science-based industries, so we wanted to share what Xcel Energy, a B:CIVIC member, has been involved with to help grow the pipeline of STEM talent.
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s summer, 40 Xcel Energy volunteers helped implement a successful Energy Week for the Girls Inc. of Metro Denver Eureka! program. Through hands-on STEM learning opportunities, field visits, and service projects, Eureka! aims to build girls’ confidence and skills.
The program included tours of the Cherokee power plant and the Xcel Energy operations center in Golden, as well as a service project where 30 Girls Inc. participants worked alongside 20 Xcel Energy employees to build bikes which were donated to 31 first and second graders at Girls Inc.
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The bike build took place in partnership with Wish for Wheels , and CBS4 Denver covered the story, capturing images of lots of happy girls. Energy Week also gave the girls and volunteers an opportunity to explore educational stations at Metro State University, where the girls learned about solar energy, wind energy, circuit kits and electric safety.
The Girls Inc. Eureka! program is an intensive five-year STEM-based program. Xcel Energy, not only supports the Girls Inc. Eureka! program with a $25,000 grant but also with significant volunteer time. And Liz Gardner, Xcel Energy’s social investments representative, serves on the Eureka! advisory panel.