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Girls STEAM Institute is proud to announce the 2025 GSI Global Team Business Challenge in October with the theme: She Solves: Mental Health Solutions in a Digital World.

October 3-5th, 2025, we are bringing you a two track Global Team Business Challenge in Virtual Reality on Saturday and Sunday, October 4-5, 2025, in ENGAGE XR, with experts, professionals, and mentors from Girls STEAM Institute to guide you through the process.

The main track is for girls and young women ages 13-26 years old are invited to participate in this Global Team Business Challenge Track. They will form teams to focus on this startup weekend style session with the creativity of a hack-a-thon, bringing together youth teams and accomplished GSI STEAMERS to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: mental health. 

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Business Challenge teams will develop technology-based business solutions to address mental health challenges. Each team will be guided by industry mentors, providing invaluable insights and connections. This is an unparalleled opportunity for young innovators to collaborate globally, hone their leadership and entrepreneurship skills, and make a real difference in mental health care. 

The general public are invited to participate in the free Parent/Teacher/Mentor track on Saturday and Sunday with several interactive workshops exploring mentoring strategies, STEAM career and education support techniques, finding funding and scholarships, and a special program on the impact of AI in STEAM careers.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience that’s shaping the future of both technology and well-being!

To join the Business Challenge teams, fill out the GSI 2025 Business Challenge Team Application by September 15^th. We will be in touch with you by September 20th to tell you more about this fun exciting experience. Participants in the Parent/Teacher/Mentor track may register with the events on ENGAGE XR.

If you wish to apply to be a mentor or volunteer, visit our Volunteer page to apply.

For information on attending events in VR, see the Educators in VR How to Attend VR Events Guide.

How to Participate in GSI Global Team Business Challenge

There are two tracks on October 4-5, 2025 to participate in the GSI Global Team Business Challenge.

• GLOBAL TEAM BUSINESS CHALLENGE TRACK (STEAMERS): As a student age 13-26 to participate in the business challenge process to pitch your business idea for an phone or VR app on the theme of mental health. Registration is required.
  • Networking and Friendship: Meet and make friends with like-minded girls interested in STEAM.
  • Collaborative Innovation: Collaborate on ideas to develop business proposals.
  • Empowerment and Validation: Recognize the potential of your ideas and explore diverse STEAM career paths.
  • Skill Development: Enhance leadership, critical thinking, design thinking, and team-building skills.
  • Inspiration and Innovation: Engage in ideation, innovation, and problem-solving through various programs.
    Future Leadership: Build confidence in leadership and entrepreneurial skills to become a changemaker.
  • Advanced Learning Tools: Experience the future of learning and communication through virtual reality.
• PARENT/TEACHER/MENTOR TRACK: As a parent, teacher, or mentor eager to learn how to better support young women in STEAM education and careers. There are so many reasons, but we want to share the insights and lessons learned from past participants. Registration is not required and this track is open to the public.
  • Networking and Relationship Building: Fostering connections among adults to support girls in STEAM.

  

  • Funding and Scholarships: Exploring opportunities for financial support in STEAM education.
  • STEAM Education Support Techniques: Strategies for engaging and empowering girls in STEAM fields.
  • Career Opportunities in STEAM: Exploring diverse career paths and emerging technologies.
  • Mentoring Strategies: Guidance on effectively mentoring teens.
    Future of AI and Technology: Understanding the impact of AI and VR on education and careers.
    Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Encouraging girls to develop business solutions to real-world problems.

Join us as an team applicant, mentor, or just to enjoy the amazing presentations these teams make that inspire all of us.

Schedule: Girls STEAM Institute 2025 Global Team Business Challenge

Note that the public events including the Open House, Opening Ceremony, Team Presentations, and Award Ceremony are for both the Business Challenge Teams and the public.

GSI STEAMER TEAMS TRACK

PARENT/TEACHER/MENTOR TRACK (Open to the Public)

To join the Business Challenge teams, fill out the GSI 2025 Business Challenge Team Application by  September 15^th. We will be in touch with you by September 20th to tell you more about this fun exciting experience. Participants in the Parent/Teacher/Mentor track may register with the events on ENGAGE XR.

If you wish to apply to be a mentor, visit our Volunteer page to apply.