Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) has launch the fall 2017 session of Shine for Girls: Math + Dance = SUCCESS (SHINE), an innovative, curriculum-based after-school program for middle school girls.

Utilizing kinesthetic learning, SHINE combines formal dance training with rigorous math instruction to improve girls’ math scores and spark their interest in STEM.

SHINE covers national math standards from 6th-8th grade, while improving overall girls’ confidence and attitudes towards math through a positive feedback loop, resulting in higher test scores and participation in classes.

Short-term objectives of empowering 6th-8th grade female students with both the confidence and mathematics skills to embrace math leads into the long-term goal of creating a pipeline of next- generation leaders in STEM fields.