At Play Like a Girl, we are on a mission to empower girls to break through barriers and thrive in traditionally male-dominated fields, particularly in STEM and sports. Central to our approach are our 10 Play Like a Girl Power Principles, which serve as a guiding framework for our programs.

These principles not only help shape the mentoring experiences we provide but also encourage young girls to embrace their potential and take charge of their futures. These principles inspire personal growth and foster a collaborative environment where girls can thrive, take risks, and support one another.

By instilling these principles, we equip young women with the tools they need to navigate challenges, embrace their strengths, and become confident leaders who are ready to make a difference.

Our 10 Power Principles Explained

1. Know Where You’re Going

The road to success starts with a destination. By setting goals, you’ll give your actions purpose to ensure you’re always moving in the right direction. 

Setting clear goals is fundamental to achieving success. In our programs, we encourage girls to identify their aspirations in both STEM and sports. By providing tools and resources to help them articulate their ambitions, we instill a sense of direction that motivates them to take actionable steps toward their objectives. Whether it’s preparing for a science fair or training for a sports competition, knowing their destination empowers girls to stay focused.

2. Dare to Be You

When you believe in yourself, you act with confidence and stay true to your values. What’s more, when you believe in yourself, others believe in you too.

Embracing individuality is crucial for building confidence. Our mentoring approach emphasizes the importance of authenticity. By showcasing diverse role models in STEM and sports, we help girls see that success comes in many forms. Mentors encourage mentees to embrace their unique qualities and share their stories, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

3. Work to Your Strengths

You have strengths like anyone else. Focus on them—and not your weaknesses—and you will work with a level of passion and productivity that helps you realize your fullest potential.

Every girl has unique talents that can be harnessed for success. Our programs focus on identifying and developing these strengths through hands-on activities in STEM and sports. By encouraging participants to pursue areas where they excel, we foster a sense of pride and accomplishment. This principle reinforces the idea that girls can thrive when they focus on what they do best, whether it’s coding a program or leading a team.

4. Ask for Help

Just like you have unique strengths, so does everyone around you. Ask for help when you need expertise you don’t have. The journey is better together. And much more fun.

Collaboration is key in both STEM and sports. Our mentoring model encourages girls to seek guidance from mentors and peers. We facilitate opportunities for collaboration through group projects, team sports, and workshops. This principle teaches young girls that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a step toward growth. It cultivates a supportive network where knowledge and skills are shared freely.

5. Be Fearless

Don’t be afraid to take risks. Be afraid of not taking them. This is how you seize the opportunities others miss and realize the success others believe isn’t possible.

Taking risks is essential for growth. Our programs empower girls to step outside their comfort zones. We create safe spaces for experimentation in STEM, allowing participants to test their ideas without the fear of failure. In sports, girls are encouraged to try new positions or tactics. By fostering a culture of fearlessness, we help them develop resilience and the courage to face challenges head-on.

6. Find Success in Failure

Failing means you’re trying. So keep trying. And also keep learning. Because the more you learn from your failures, the closer you come to your successes.

Failure is often viewed negatively, but we believe it’s a valuable teacher. Our approach reframes failure as an opportunity for learning. We share stories of successful women in STEM and sports who have faced setbacks and persevered. Through workshops and discussions, girls learn to embrace their failures as stepping stones to future successes. This principle instills a growth mindset that will serve them throughout their lives.

7. Challenge Yourself

Life is always changing. The secret to success is to adjust your thinking and adapt your skills so you stay fresh, current and relevant in an ever-changing world.

Life is filled with challenges, and our programs prepare girls to meet them head-on. We encourage participants to set ambitious goals and push their limits, whether it’s tackling a difficult math problem or competing in a new sport. By fostering a mindset that embraces challenges, we help girls develop resilience and adaptability—skills that are vital for success in any field.

8. Remember Your Roots

Embracing where you’re starting from keeps you humble, true to your authentic self and grounded during life’s inevitable storms.

Understanding where you come from provides a solid foundation for growth. Our mentoring programs encourage girls to reflect on their backgrounds and experiences. By honoring their roots, they develop a strong sense of identity and self-worth. We emphasize the importance of staying connected to one’s community, fostering a sense of belonging, and responsibility to uplift others.

9. Show Appreciation

Nothing pays dividends like appreciating those around you. By paying it forward every day, you’ll make a meaningful difference in the lives of others as well as your own.

Gratitude plays a crucial role in building strong relationships. Our programs emphasize the importance of recognizing the contributions of mentors, peers, and supporters. Through Shoutouts, handwritten thank-you notes, and other forms of acknowledgment, girls learn to express appreciation, which not only strengthens bonds but also fosters a positive environment. This principle encourages participants to pay it forward, creating a cycle of support and encouragement.

10. Play Like a Girl!

Playing like a girl is a way of life. A way of thinking and a way of behaving. It’s about embracing the positive, seeing life’s limitless opportunities, and knowing that every time we take the field we are changing what it means to “play like a girl” from an insult to the ultimate compliment it really is!

The final principle encapsulates our mission: to redefine what it means to “play like a girl.” By encouraging girls to embrace their full selves, we challenge stereotypes and foster confidence. Our programs celebrate achievements in STEM and sports, promoting the idea that girls can excel in any field. This principle inspires girls to view themselves as capable leaders, innovators, and athletes.

Join Us in Empowering Girls

At Play Like a Girl, our 10 Power Principles are the cornerstone of our mentorship and leadership development programs. They guide our approach to empowering middle school girls, helping them navigate challenges in STEM and sports while fostering a strong sense of community and connection.

Are you ready to make a difference? Join us in empowering the next generation of girls through mentorship, support, and inspiration. Whether you’re a mentor, volunteer, or supporter, your involvement can help change lives. Together, let’s create a world where girls can thrive, break barriers, and Play Like a Girl!