Bring hands-on STEM learning to one classroom
High Tech Rising helps bring STEM education into students’ hands through Oh Snap! STEM kits, creating opportunities for girls to explore science, technology, and new interests.
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Goal: $175
Donate to High-Tech High Heels – Support Girls in STEM
High Tech Rising, formerly known as High-Tech High Heels, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through educational grants, scholarships, and hands-on learning programs, the organization helps girls and young women develop technical skills, explore STEM careers, and pursue opportunities in fields where women remain underrepresented. Its work spans North Texas, Southeast Texas, Silicon Valley, and Colorado.
About High Tech Rising
High Tech Rising, formerly High-Tech High Heels, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by a group of women working in STEM at Texas Instruments. The organization began with a donor-advised fund established at the Dallas Women’s Foundation to expand educational opportunities for girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Its mission is to invest in the education and development of young women and increase the number who pursue STEM careers. Through grants, scholarships, hands-on learning experiences, and partnerships with educational organizations, High Tech Rising helps students build confidence, develop technical skills, and explore future career pathways. The organization operates through volunteer-led chapters in North Texas, Southeast Texas, Silicon Valley, and Colorado, supporting programs that inspire, engage, and educate the next generation of women in STEM
What Does High Tech Rising Do?
High Tech Rising supports educational initiatives that encourage girls and young women to explore STEM subjects and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Its work focuses on expanding access to hands-on learning, strengthening STEM education, and connecting students with opportunities to develop technical skills and confidence.
The organization’s main programs include:
- Grant-Making: Funding nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that provide STEM camps, workshops, classroom activities, and other learning opportunities for girls.
- Oh Snap! STEM Learning: Providing electronics kits to schools and afterschool programs, allowing students to explore circuits and engineering through practical projects.
- Scholarships: Supporting young women pursuing STEM education through scholarships awarded directly to their educational institutions.
- Educator Support: Investing in educational programs and professional development opportunities that help teachers introduce students to STEM.
- Community Partnerships: Working with volunteers, STEM professionals, schools, and nonprofit organizations to expand access to educational experiences.
The Oh Snap! program serves students in grades 3–6 in Texas, California, and Colorado, prioritizing underserved schools and communities.
Who High Tech Rising Helps
High Tech Rising primarily supports girls and young women interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, particularly students who may have limited access to engaging STEM education and career exploration opportunities.
Its programs reach elementary, middle, and high school students through schools, afterschool programs, community organizations, and educational partnerships. The organization also supports young women pursuing further education in STEM-related fields through scholarships.
High Tech Rising works with educators and community organizations to improve access to STEM learning experiences. Its regional chapters serve communities across North Texas, Southeast Texas, Silicon Valley, and Colorado, with initiatives designed to address local educational needs.
Why Donate to High Tech Rising?
Donations to High Tech Rising help expand access to STEM education for girls and young women. Contributions support educational grants, scholarships, hands-on learning materials, and programs that encourage students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Support can help provide STEM learning kits, educational workshops, classroom resources, and opportunities to engage with STEM professionals. These experiences introduce students to technical subjects, develop practical skills, and help them envision future careers in STEM.
By supporting High Tech Rising, donors contribute to initiatives that address barriers to STEM participation and create more opportunities for girls and young women to pursue their educational and professional interests.
High Tech Rising Impact
Since beginning its work in 2001, High Tech Rising has expanded from a local initiative into a nonprofit organization supporting STEM education across multiple regions.
Its reported impact includes:
- 89,000+ girls impacted through educational programs and initiatives.
- $2.3 million+ granted to support STEM education.
- 300+ community programs funded.
- Four regional communities supported through chapters in North Texas, Southeast Texas, Silicon Valley, and Colorado.
The organization has also developed initiatives such as Oh Snap!, which provides hands-on electronics learning materials to schools and afterschool programs. Through grants, scholarships, and partnerships, High Tech Rising continues to expand opportunities for girls and young women to participate in STEM education.
Is High Tech Rising Legit?
High Tech Rising is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a history of supporting STEM education since 2001. Originally established as High-Tech High Heels, it became an independent nonprofit in 2015 and adopted its current name in 2026.
The organization operates through an all-volunteer national board and regional chapters. It provides public information about its leadership, programs, grantmaking approach, financial practices, and organizational history.
High Tech Rising also makes financial documents available for public review and uses established evaluation criteria when selecting programs to fund.
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