CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Every Tuesday evening, a small group of girls gather together to learn about the world of science. 

What You Need To Know

  • Project Scientist launched in 2011 and provides programs to young girls centered around science, technology, engineering and math

  • The organization has been working with Wings for Kids to provide STEM programming every Tuesday evening

  • Both organizations have been working together since September 2021 

It’s a sight Anjail Shabazz loves to see. 

“The girls definitely enjoy it,” she said. “I love that they have the opportunity to have something that’s just for them, and they have the science and they have the opportunity to have leaders come in virtually.” 

Shabazz serves as the program coordinator for Wings for Kids, an organization that works to provide social-emotional learning for children who live in tough neighborhoods. 

“When I was at UNC Charlotte, I served as Wings leader, and then I worked my way up with Wings,” Shabazz said. 

What started out as a quick job posting on campus, soon transformed into a lifelong career for Shabazz. 

While she works with these girls the majority of the week, on Tuesdays another group comes in. 

For the last few months, Project Scientist has joined in providing programs centered around science, technology, engineering and math, otherwise known as STEM. 

"For me, I was just like these girls,” Christy Anderson said. “It’s really important because STEM careers… There’s so much opportunity for every girl.” 

Anderson serves as Project Scientist’s chief operating officer and hopes their programs inspire more girls to get into the world of STEM.

“Not only are these girls seeing STEM and hands-on as you can tell, but they are also meeting women in the STEM fields that look like them, that talk like them and have had similar struggles,” Anderson said. 

Shabazz says at first, introducing Project Scientist left these ladies a little shy. But now, they are enjoying themselves and the world of STEM, and it's something that brings joy to Shabazz every Tuesday evening. 

“They’ve already grown so much,” she said. “They’ve already learned so much from our program and that just makes it so worth it.” 

Project Scientist has been providing programing for Wings for Kids since September 2021. 

If you are interested in learning more about Wings for Kids, you can find more information here.

If you are interested in learning more about Project Scientist, you can find more information here.