It started with a breakfast—a simple idea to bring together students and women in science, tech, engineering, and math to celebrate Women’s History Month. But that breakfast sparked more than just good conversation. It led to the launch of a movement: WISH, or Women in STEM at High Tech Middle Mesa.
WISH program is more than a student club, it’s a growing initiative that gives young women the confidence, support, and exposure they need to achieve success in STEM fields where women have historically been underrepresented.
WISH launched in 2024 following the school’s first Women in STEM Breakfast, a community event created to celebrate Women’s History Month. The breakfast brought together students, educators, and professional women in STEM to inspire students through conversation and mentorship. The positive energy from that day sparked something greater.
Juliet Mohnkern, founding director of High Tech Middle Mesa, explains the motivation behind WISH. “We’ve seen that the disconnect from STEM can often happen in middle school, and we want to fight that trend by making sure our female students feel a sense of belonging and connection in the STEM fields they’re passionate about.”
Since its launch, WISH has evolved into a thriving student club that connects female-identifying students with real-world opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. The club’s mission is rooted in equity, providing a space where all students can see themselves in STEM careers and develop the skills and confidence to get there.
WISH is run collaboratively by students, educators, and families. It was co-founded by a middle school student, Sophia, and her mother, Karen, and is supported by faculty advisor Madison Hutchins. Through weekly meetings, planning sessions, and events, the group focuses on building a supportive environment where students can grow as learners and leaders.
Throughout the year, WISH hosts engaging activities like field trips, guest speaker panels, and hands-on STEM challenges. The annual Women in STEM Breakfast has now become a school tradition, drawing in professional women from fields such as biomedical engineering, aviation, computer science, and physics. These professionals share their personal journeys, offering encouragement and a realistic picture of the paths available to students.
The breakfast is designed to help students make meaningful connections with STEM mentors, especially at a time in their lives when confidence can begin to waver. Middle school is often where many girls begin to lose interest in math and science, even if they previously enjoyed those subjects. WISH exists to intervene at that critical point, giving students encouragement, representation, and role models to stay the course.
Students say the breakfast is one of their favorite events of the year. Many leave inspired by the stories they’ve heard and the opportunities they’ve learned about.
One student explained that the event helped her see a future in STEM: “The purpose of this event is that all these women in amazing career fields come and talk to us about what they do, so we have something to go off of when we’re older. I liked learning about so many different careers—and now I’m finding things that maybe I want to do when I grow up.”
WISH also hosts field trips throughout the year, and while some plans are kept under wraps until finalized, students say they look forward to these outings as a way to learn and connect beyond the classroom. These trips expose them to STEM in real-world settings—science centers, tech labs, engineering campuses—and further deepen their interest and understanding.
A core value of WISH is visibility—helping students see people like themselves thriving in STEM careers. This includes hearing from women who’ve broken barriers in male-dominated fields, offering not only career advice but also honest accounts of overcoming obstacles.
Guest speakers at WISH events regularly share reflections on their own middle school experiences, reminding students that even if they don’t yet see people who look like them in certain spaces, they still belong.
During a recent event, one STEM professional told students: “You may not see anyone like yourself right now, but you’ll be one of them. You’ll be there to show up for young girls in the future.”
These powerful words echo WISH’s goal: to create a future where gender no longer limits who belongs in STEM.
As WISH continues to grow, so does its impact. Plans for future programming include additional mentorship opportunities, community service projects, and expanded access to STEM internships. The club also collaborates with High Tech High’s internship program to support students in gaining real-world experience.
While WISH began as a grassroots effort at High Tech Middle Mesa, its influence has spread. The program reflects High Tech High’s broader commitment to equity, inclusion, and project-based learning, showing students how to apply what they’re learning in meaningful, community-based ways.
By investing in WISH, High Tech High is investing in the next generation of women scientists, engineers, and innovators. The club is creating a culture where girls can explore their interests boldly, connect with mentors, and develop the confidence to lead in any field they choose. It’s a movement that’s helping change the future of STEM, one student at a time.
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