The helpING! academy for high school girls interested in STEM is a free, innovative, one-week academy for career and study choice orientation within the framework of the project “helpING - meet tomorrow’s social challenges with STEM competence and social commitment” funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project helpING! is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in the funding line “Success with STEM - New Opportunities for Women”. During the Academy, female students interested in STEM get to know various STEM fields and learn how developments in these areas influence the future and how they can be used to solve social problems (social innovations).

I took part at the helpING! academy as a mentor in Halle in April 2019. In a speed dating setup the students were able to get to know all the participating mentors and then got to choose a mentor to support them with their study and career choices throughout the next year.