Beckman Foundation Awards Placentia-based Girl Buildrs a $5,000 Orange County Community Support Grant
Woman-led STEAM Education Program Introduces Teen Girls to Construction and Engineering
IRVINE, Calif. (June 8, 2026) – The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation today announced Girl Buildrs as the latest recipient of its Orange County Community Support Grant, issuing a $5,000 partnership award for its STEAM Track summer program for teens, which provides girls ages 13-17 with real-world exposure to engineering, design, and construction through hands-on work with traditional woodworking tools and power tools.
Beckman’s local community support grants fund organizations with innovative STEM/STEAM activities, projects, and/or events within the Orange County, California area that align with its aim of “supporting young scientists today for tomorrow’s breakthrough discoveries.” Girl Buildrs’ STEAM Track places participants in industry-grade maker environments where they are provided with training to confidently work with the same tools used in professional settings. The one-week program embeds peer mentorship as a core instructional strategy to reinforce learning while cultivating teamwork, communication, and shared leadership in STEAM.
“Our program integrates identity-building with skill acquisition by engaging teen girls in project-based learning experiences and helping them to see themselves as capable STEAM practitioners. As a civil engineer with nearly two decades of experience in construction, engineering, and skilled trades, I’ve become a passionate advocate for hands-on STEAM education and gender equity in the trades.
The STEAM Track for teen girls will take place July 27-31, 2026. To register, contact Girl Buildrs by phone at (714) 917-7096 or email [email protected].
About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1977 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org.
About Girl Buildrs
Girl Buildrs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering girls through hands-on building and STEAM workshops in Orange County, California. Founded in 2024, Girl Buildrs creates spaces where girls can see themselves as builders, leaders, and problem-solvers. By equipping them with tools, mentorship, and confidence, we’re not only closing the gender gap but also preparing the next generation of innovators to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. For more information, visit girlbuildrs.org.
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Press Contact:
Kaerie Ray, Communications Director
(949) 560-4232, [email protected]
