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Message The UjimaGIRL ProjectImpact Report: Summers 2022-2024Award Number#2116118
Our TeamDr. Faheemah MustafaaUC Davis Education ProfessorUjima GIRL Co-PI and Lead ResearcherMarcella Grant, MBAUjima GIRL Program ManagerDr. Harry ChengUC Davis Engineering ProfessorC-STEM Director, Ujima GIRL PI1Jeffrey HescoxC-STEM Education Service ManagerMariana DiazUjima GIRL Project Coordinator
2Chamee Moua UC Davis Education PhD StudentSajdah Asmau UC Davis EducationPhD StudentReshmika SinghUC Davis Undergraduate Intern2022-2023Applied Mathematics MajorXaviera AzodohUC Davis Undergraduate Intern2022-2025Electrical Engineering Major Haley PrescottUC Davis Undergraduate Intern2022-2025Biomedical Engineering MajorAmirah JohnsonUC Davis Undergraduate Intern2024-2025Communications Major
The Ujima Girls in Robotics Leadership (Ujima GIRL) Project aims tobroaden participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, andmathematics) among African American/Black middle and high schoolgirls and college women. As an “Innovations in Development” researchproject funded by the National Science Foundation’s AdvancingInformal STEM Learning (AISL) program (NSF Award #2116118), aprimary goal was to use research and evaluation to iteratively developUjima’s culturally-relevant curriculum and informal STEM learningenvironment. Prior research demonstrates the value of culturally-relevant and gender-specific learning environments for bufferingBlack girls and women against deficit ideas (e.g., race-genderstereotypes) and unjust treatment (e.g., discrimination), therebyexpanding their opportunities for thriving in STEM (Ashford et al.,2017; King et al., 2023).OurPurposeSpaces. Emerging Issues and Trends in Education, 56, 539-569.King, N. S., Peña-Telfer, L., & Earls, S. (2023). “The work I do matters”:Cultivating a STEM counterspace for Black girls through social-emotional development and culturally sustaining pedagogies.Education Sciences, 13(7), 754.ReferencesAshford, S. N., Wilson, J. A., King, N. S., & Nyachae, T. M. (2017). STEM SISTA3
Natomas USD Ujima student working on robot for final presentation4
Ujima is a Swahili word meaning “collective work and responsibility”—an African American cultural value of collaboration and commitmentto community uplift. Ujima participants (“campers”) receiveinstruction in coding and robotics, and engage in community-buildingand culturally-relevant learning activities in a multi-tiered mentoringenvironment led by college women (“coaches”) and mentor teachers.Ujima has a full day (9:00am-4:30pm), week-long summer camp formiddle school girls (Ujima GIRL Camp) and a separate week for highschool girls (Ujima GIRL+ Camp). Campers embody Ujima by usingcoding and robotics to collaboratively develop prototypes ofinventions designed to address community and global issues. Ujimaalso encourages and provides academic-year support for campers toexercise their leadership skills by creating STEM clubs in theirschools/communities. Campers also retain access to the codingplatform used during summer camp, RoboBlocky, until they graduatefrom high school. Through RoboBlocky, Ujima participants haveongoing, free access to Common Core-aligned math and computerscience enrichment activities.Due to its C-STEM affiliation, Ujima GIRL is recognized as a UC-approved Educational Preparation Program on the UC undergraduateadmissions application. 5What We Do
Successful coding androbotics summer campsrequire dedicated districtpersonnel and passionateteachers.DistrictPartnershipsCampers are given theopportunity to participate ina college field trip at the endof the program as acumulative experience.College coaches areinterviewed to understandhow participating in Ujimaimpacted their futurecareer aspirations andtheir views of STEM fields(including teaching inSTEM).Ujima GIRLCollege Coach Data CollectionUjima DayCollege VisitsCampers complete pre-and post-surveys on thefirst and last days of camp,sharing their attitudestoward STEM.Ujima GIRL Camper Data Collection6Students touring Dr. Cheng’s Lab on Ujima Day 2024
At a glance3School Districts6College StudentCoaches60Campers2022"I think that...[the students]not only gained roboticsknowledge but they alsogained life-long skills andconfidence."- Ujima GIRL College Student Coach5School Districts9College StudentCoaches99Campers20238School Districts22College StudentCoaches*156Campers2024*2 Ujima GIRL AlumnaNatomas USD students operate their LinkBot for the first time7
Ujima Day 2022 Group Photo2022-2024 AccomplishmentsPartnered with 10 different school districts/sites in CAEmployed 30 female college students as Ujima coachesAdmitted 315 Ujima GIRL campersInitiated and co-sponsored 32 one-week STEM campsPartnered with 10 different school districts/sites in CAEmployed up to 59 female college students as Ujima CoachesAdmitted up to 635 Ujima GIRL campersInitiated and co-sponsored 48 one-week STEM campsBy the end of 2025 we will have....8
Stockton USD8 middle school campers8 high school campers2 college student coachesAntioch USD12 middle school campers14 high school campers2 college student coachesElk Grove USD18 high school campers2 college student coachesThis site did not offer a middleschool campSummer 2022Stockton USD students work on coding assignmentsStockton USD students present their robotics project9
Antelope Valley College- New Site!26 middle school campers totalover two separate weeks of camp8 high school campers1 college student coachVictor Valley USD- New Site!5 middle school campers12 high school campers1 college student coachSummer 2023Stockton USD11 middle school campers3 high school campers2 college student coachesAntioch USD12 middle school campers6 high school campers3 college student coachesTwin Rivers USD- New Site!12 middle school campers4 high school campers2 college student coachesElk Grove USD was unable to return for Summer 2023.10Antioch USD students working on their group project
Fresno USD- New Site!12 middle school campers8 high school campers4 college student coachesNatomas USD- New Site!16 middle school campers15 high school campers2 college student coachesOakland USD- New Site!16 middle school campers9 high school campers2 college student coachesThe Hamlin School, SanFrancisco- New Site!14 middle school campers9 high school campers3 college student coachesSummer 2024Stockton USD6 middle school campers4 high school campers3 college student coachesAntioch USD11 middle school campers9 high school campers3 college student coachesTwin Rivers USD9 middle school campers4 high school campers2 college student coachesAntelope Valley College9 middle school campers5 high school campers3 college student coachesNatomas USD students assemble their LinkBot for the first timeVictor Valley USD and Elk Grove USD were unable to return for Summer 2024.11
2 Consecutive Weeks1 High School camp, followed by 1 Middle School camp.Most sites ran their camps using this approach.High School campers had the opportunity to mentor MiddleSchool campers as Assistant Coaches.1 Week with 2 Camps in Parallel1 High School camp and 1 Middle School Camp at the same time.The Hamlin School (San Francisco) ran their summer 2024 siteusing this approach.High School and Middle School campers interacted with eachother during meals, breaks, and combined sessions.Ujima with C-STEM Trained TeachersFresno USD ran their site with this model.Teachers felt more comfortable assisting with thecoding/robotics portion of the curriculum.Structure Differences Between Camps in 202412Fresno USD teacher, Mikayla Jones, leading Arduino Board lesson
All Ujima Day college campus visits havetaken place at University of California, Davis.Each district was responsible for studentsign-ups and organizing bus transportation.The Ujima GIRL Project organized a campustour and admissions presentation,engineering lab tours, activities, and lunch ina dining hall for all students and chaperones.Summer 2022All 3 district sites participated: StocktonUSD, Antioch USD & Elk Grove USD40 total campers67% of campers from participating schooldistrictsSummer 20233 local district sites participated: StocktonUSD, Antioch USD & Twin Rivers USD 30 total campers63% of campers from participating schooldistrictsSummer 20245 local district sites participated: StocktonUSD, Antioch USD, Twin Rivers USD,Natomas USD & Oakland USD59 total campers60% of campers from participating schooldistrictsUjima Day CollegeField TripsUjima Day 2024 Photo13
Ujima Day 2024 Scavenger Hunt PhotoUjima Day Agenda ExampleWelcome and IntroductionsAdmissions PresentationCampus Tour or Scavenger HuntLunch at Segundo Dining HallGroup RotationsSTEM Speaker & Group PhotoDepartures10:00 AM10:05 AM10:30 AM11:30 AM1:00 PM2:30 PM3:00 PMUjima Day UCD SpeakersSummer 2022Dr. Gary S. May, UC Davis ChancellorSummer 2023Mrs. LeShelle May, Computer EngineerSummer 2024Dr. Ralph C. Aldredge, Professor andAssociate Dean Mechanical andAerospace Engineering, UndergraduateStudies at UC DavisDr. Ebony Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer,Office of Diversity, Equity and InclusionJosiah Greer, Assistant Director, AfricanAmerican Recruitment at UC Davis14Tour of Dr. Cheng’s Engineering LabUCD Student PanelTour of the Student Design LabStudent StartUp Center PresentationTour of the Center for AfricanDiaspora Student Success
Ujima GIRL Camper Pre and Post SurveysOn the pre and post Ujima GIRL Camp surveys (administered on the first andlast day of camp, respectively), we asked campers about their attitudes towardScience, Engineering and Technology, and Mathematics. Here are some example survey items:Science: I know I can do well in science.Engineering and Technology: I believe I can be successful in a career inengineering.Mathematics: I would consider choosing a career that uses math.Students rated each question on a five-point scale1 = strongly disagree2 = disagree3 = neither disagree or agree4 = agree5 = strongly agreeAcross three summers (2022-2024), on average, Ujima GIRL participants’attitudes toward Math* and Science** increased by the end of camp. Onaverage, there was no change in participants’ attitudes toward Engineering andTechnology by the end of camp. It is important to note that these changes are not reflective of each individual;many participants’ attitudes toward STEM increased, while others remained thesame or decreased in each respective STEM subject. We are in the process offinalizing a manuscript for publication that will provide additional insights intoUjima GIRL participants’ experiences and attitudes toward STEM.15Research Findings Summary*Math: M =3.35, SD=.87 to M =3.41, SD=.92**Science: M =3.45, SD=.75 to M =3.51, SD=.74PRE POSTPRE POST
Post-Program Interviews with College Student CoachesBetween Summer 2022 and Summer 2024, UC Davis PhD StudentChamee Moua interviewed 33 college student coaches (92% responserate) about their experiences with Ujima GIRL.Overall coaches…Encouraged teamwork and support among Ujima girls.Emphasized the importance of community-building/socialactivities and taking breaks with Ujima girls.Checked in with their co-coach before and/or after camp to lessonplan.Valued classroom management assistance from Mentor Teachersand tech support from the Ujima GIRL team at UC Davis.Connected with and built bonds with campers.Held high aspirations for Ujima girls’ futures. Gained skills, such as problem-solving and managing classroomdynamics. Some also expressed greater interest in teaching orotherwise working with youth.Had positive experiences and would return to the coach position.We are in the process of finalizing a manuscript that will provideadditional insights into Ujima GIRL coaches’ experiences.16Ujima Coaches exploring LinkBots at Staff Training
For summer 2022, 2023 and 2024, Inverness Research interviewed 34 MentorTeachers and/or District Affiliates total (64% of total contacts).2022 and 2023In 2022 and 2023, interviewees made suggestions to the program recruitmentstrategies, training and support setup, camp logistics and activities, andprogram sustainability. Several similarities emerged in interviews from the first two summers:Interviewees advised that teachers should recruit students directly toincrease sign-ups and attendance.The role of the Mentor Teacher should be clarified and made explicitduring training.The participants should be given an opportunity to meet up during theschool year such as a student club.Connections should be made with existing district STEM events,community groups, and programs to raise awareness about the camps,expand recruiting, and help with long-term support and sustainability. External Evaluator Findings17ResearchersLaurie LopezNina HoughtonPam Tambe
In response to these suggestions, the Ujima GIRL Project team made the followingchanges:We ask the Mentor Teachers to invite students they know directly andask district affiliates to send hard copies of flyers directly to teachers to passout to students. Direct communication with Mentor Teachers led to a higherenrollment rate for Summer 2024 at several sites.We conducted a presentation during training to explain how MentorTeachers and Coaches can work together and reserved time for them tomeet and plan with each other during training.We hired an Ujima GIRL Club Advisor Consultant to assist sites withstarting an Ujima GIRL Club in their district.We are encouraging District Affiliates to connect with STEM-relatedprograms in their respective districts to help with Summer 2025 recruitmentand long-term sustainability.2024The Inverness Research team came up with several takeaways and suggestionsafter their Program observations and interviews from Summer 2024.Overall, the interviewees agreed that the Ujima GIRL Program is important,relevant and beneficial as a camp that is dedicated to promote STEMamong African American girls.The core components of the camp experience are student engagement,camaraderie, and hands-on learning.Having dedicated, highly skilled, experienced Mentor Teachers creates ahigher quality camp experience for the students.Resolving technical issues ahead of time increases the likelihood of asuccessful camp.The main program goals for the campers need to be identified so theMentor Teachers and Coaches can focus on achieving those goals for theweek (e.g., Gain confidence with robotics; Form a close-knit community)18
19All 2024 interviewees want to continue the Ujima GIRL Program at their siteafter the grant ends in Summer 2025, but several district leadersacknowledged changes they would need to make and potential concerns forsustainability in future years. Although not voiced by all interviewees, thefollowing changes were brought up most often across the interviews:The camp would need higher enrollment numbers.They would like to offer the opportunity for campers to return andparticipate in the program again.Finding funding to pay Mentor Teachers and Coaches may bedifficult, especially with competition from other summer programs. Running the program without logistical and technical support fromUC Davis staff will be challenging and may limit the camps’ success.For the final year of the grant, the Ujima GIRL Project Team will focus onaddressing the following recommendations from Inverness Research:Identify the main program goals for Ujima campers and clearlycommunicate these goals to Mentor Teachers/Coaches during trainingand in the presentations to family members and students.Continue to encourage and support teachers to be involved in allaspects of the camp and help them understand their critical role. Focus on how to help districts institutionalize the camps for theirteachers and students.Help districts make a plan for materials maintenance and storage, andfor keeping technologically current.External Evaluator Findingscontinued
Students and chaperones touring the UC Davis Engineering Student Design Center on Ujima Day 202420
AcknowledgementsDr. Renetta Garrison TullVice Chancellor of Diversity,Equity and Inclusion, UC DavisDr. Teresa W. AldredgeBoard President, UmojaCommunity EducationFoundationDr. Gary S. MayChancellor, UC Davis21Dr. Kyla Johnson-TrammellSuperintendent, OaklandUnified School DistrictUjima GIRL Advisory BoardUmoja Community Education FoundationShauna Hawes, Ujima GIRL Club Advisor ConsultantInverness Research, Inc.Ujima Day Speakers (see page 14)UC Davis DepartmentsUjima GIRL Partners & ConsultantsAnd a special thank you to all the school district staff, teachers,Ujima GIRL coaches and assistant coaches, parents, andcommunity members we have worked with since 2022. Weappreciate all the time and effort you put in to make Ujima GIRLpossible for over 300 girls (and counting)!UC Davis Undergraduate AdmissionsSchool of EducationMechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Thank you for your support! 15
Award Number#2116118The Ujima GIRL ProjectImpact Report: Summers 2022-2024Follow us on Instagram!@ujimagirlhttps://c-stem.ucdavis.edu/ujimaSuggested Citation: Diaz, M. X., Mustafaa, F. N., Moua, C. V., Grant, M. J., Inverness ResearchInc., Cheng, H. H. (2025, March). The Ujima GIRL Project, Impact Report: Summers 2022-2024.