STEM Goes Red Inspires New Orleans Girls

Nearly 100 middle school girls explored science, technology, engineering and math at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Secondary Education

STEM Goes Red Inspires New Orleans Girls

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The American Heart Association hosted its STEM Goes Red event for nearly 100 middle school girls from C.T. Janet Middle School and KIPP Believe Middle School at Xavier University of Louisiana. Students rotated through four STEM-focused learning tracks led by local industry sponsors.

Why it matters

The event aims to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in STEM careers by exposing students to educational and professional opportunities early in life. The American Heart Association believes such events will help grow the share of Louisiana STEM jobs held by women.

Nearly 100 middle school girls attended, and about 27% of Louisiana STEM jobs are held by women, compared with a broader pool of female bachelor's students of whom only 3 of 100 are projected to work in STEM a decade after graduation. The source does not report any follow-up data on attendees' later career choices.

The players

American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a leading nonprofit focused on cardiovascular health and research, and it runs the Go Red for Women movement that sponsors the STEM Goes Red initiative.

Entergy

Entergy is a major U.S. electric utility company serving Louisiana and surrounding states, and it served as presenting sponsor of the event.

The details

Students from two New Orleans middle schools rotated through four learning tracks: Science (Food as Medicine, LCMC Health), Technology (The Evolution of Technology in Healthcare, Care Eleven), Engineering (Building a Bridge Activity, Entergy) and Math (Financial Literacy, Hancock Whitney Bank). The event also recognized Student in STEM Award recipients for interest, achievement and leadership in STEM subjects.

• Week of October 26, 2026: STEM Goes Red event held at Xavier University of Louisiana.
• November 3, 2026: Article published about the STEM Goes Red event.

Seasonal Patterns

STEM Goes Red extends the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement, which has long focused on cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death for women, into efforts to widen women's participation in science and technology careers. The initiative applies that movement's advocacy model to the education pipeline in Louisiana.

Parents and students in New Orleans can look to Xavier University of Louisiana and local middle schools for similar STEM exposure opportunities. Families interested in the program can review its details through the Go Red for Women program resources.

The takeaway

Early exposure to hands-on STEM experiences may help shape which fields young women consider for their futures. Schools and families can seek out similar local programs to broaden that exposure.