Stemettes is a social enterprise working across the U.K. and Ireland to inspire and support girls, young women, and nonbinary young people toward careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). This year, an Akamai Foundation STEAM grant allowed Stemettes to present “STEAM Goals,” an event at Akamai’s London office which introduced participants to a range of potential futures in STEAM. Twenty-three students from three schools were chosen to attend sessions with Akamai team members, exploring their STEM journeys and career paths. Students also took part in an HTML project competition judged by Akamai volunteers. The STEAM Goals event was a success, introducing attendees to potential role models and furnishing their visions of what it would mean to pursue a career in STEAM.

The Possible Zone (TPZ) is an experiential learning program that readies Boston Public School students for careers of the future. This year, the Akamai Foundation supported TPZ’s Cybersecurity Innovation Pathway, a tuition-free program that introduces participants to the unique opportunities and challenges posed by the dynamic, expanding field of cybersecurity. TPZ students encountered a mix of code and hardware, learning to utilize equipment for monitoring networks, communication, and signal processing. Through bootcamps, “Deep Dives,” and open studio time, students were exposed to exercises that prequalify their interest in cybersecurity. Students created a mixed network of controllers and computers, using that network to model TCP/IP, penetration testing, firmware hacking, address spoofing, and more. TPZ’s 2024 Cybersecurity Innovation Pathway program encouraged teamwork and hands-on problem solving while equipping participants with highly applicable STEM skills.

Dedicated to gender equity, the Mamo Pracuj Foundation helps prepare women and mothers for careers in tech. Mamo Pracuj provides mothers who are entering or transitioning into the tech field with training and tools for success, ultimately pairing them with companies that are seeking new talent. This year, Mamo Pracuj collaborated with Akamai Krakòw to deliver the third “Let’s Do IT AKAdemy” program, a series of four online workshops led by Akamai experts, covering topics such as career building and essential competencies in the IT sector. After the workshops, participants were paired with mentors at Akamai who worked with them individually over the course of four months. In total, these pairs engaged in 174 mentoring sessions, providing personalized guidance and support. In 2025, Mamo Pracuj will host an AI AKAdemy that aims to develop and disseminate digital competencies in AI, focusing on its practical application in the workplace.

Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG) works to remove systemic barriers to all girls’ participation in STEM education in the East Bay. Part of SAfG’s mission is ensuring that girls who may otherwise lack access to STEM enrichment can participate in hands-on technical learning. The Akamai Foundation’s 2024 support enabled SAfG to continue delivering this vital programming, including exciting projects focused on the arts of science and technology. SAfG participants also met with female STEM architects who shared their career journeys, providing vital role models and demonstrating a sense of belonging in STEM fields. Hands-on experiences and exposure to female STEM professionals are crucial in building girls’ confidence and interest in STEM. SAfG exit surveys show that over 76% of participating students reported their growing excitement about STEM after participating in their programs.

The ITWomen’s Foundation empowers girls in tech and engineering through accessible programming, scholarships, and mentorship. In its fourth year, ITWomen’s Summer Camp program introduced more girls to exciting career possibilities in STEM, piloting its first “Virtual Robotics and Coding Camp.” Designed to reach traditionally under-served students, the virtual format leveraged the Riders.ai platform to provide an enriching, hands-on experience in engineering, coding, and robotics. Outside of the camp, Akamai employees mentored engineering club members at local high schools, in addition to working with ITWomen Scholars through virtual and in-person sessions. By sharing their career journeys, these remarkable female “Akamites” showcased the growing opportunities in cybersecurity and Akamai’s pivotal role in securing the digital world. Their involvement encourages young women to envision themselves thriving in technology and engineering.

Learning Links Foundation (LLF) is a nonprofit that enriches lives through lifelong learning and technology education. LLF programs demonstrate that tech not only accelerates learning and connection, but also deepens them. After receiving a grant from the Akamai Foundation in 2024, LLF swiftly partnered with a New Delhi public school to enhance student access to technology and STEAM learning for 300 participants. LLF’s first initiative provided the school with laptops and internet access, garnering immense enthusiasm from students and staff. The foundation is also working to equip the school’s STEM lab with resources for hands-on learning, such as robotics kits, 3D printers, and science experiment tools. LLF looks forward to an incredible year, advancing digital equity by providing young people with an engaging STEAM curriculum.

Igniting young people’s interest in space and science, Young Astronauts Club-Japan (YAC-J) promotes youth engagement with aeronautical engineering and astronomy, encourages cooperation and exchange, and fosters the growth of young talent to lead the future of STEM. In 2024, YAC-J piloted the Water Rocket Flight Simulation program, expanding on YAC-J’s popular Water Rocket Flight program. Since hands-on trial experiences in the Flight program are limited, YAC-J leveraged Akamai grant funding to create a simulator. By combining digital technology with hardware, this simulator allows more young people to learn firsthand and through trial and error, deepening their understanding of science and technology.