About GGF
About Girls Go First
Girls Go First (GGF) is an international educational STEM initiative founded in Kazakhstan by the robotics team Panheya. The initiative is designed to expand opportunities for girls in science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
01Our Journey
The story so far
Through national championships, international STEM forums, engineering workshops, and global mentorship programmes, Girls Go First connects talented girls from different countries with experts, engineers, and technology organizations. The initiative aims to turn interest in STEM into real achievements, independent projects, and leadership opportunities.
January 2026
STEM Workshop
Girls Go First held an online workshop supported by Technovation Girls that brought together more than 130 girls from CIS countries. Six invited speakers shared their experience of engineering competitions and spoke about technical challenges and ways to grow in STEM.
January–February 2026
National Forum & Startup Contest
Girls Go First organized a national forum and startup contest that drew approximately 700 applications from 386 teams. Approximately 300 participants from 70 teams reached the finals in Almaty and Astana. With partner support the prize fund came to 1,000,000 KZT, and seven female-led teams received funding to develop their projects.
March 2026
Global Mentorship Programme
Together with the National Student Research Institute, Girls Go First formed an international mentorship network of 65 mentors and more than 45 mentees across more than 15 countries. The mentors include 31 alumni of FIRST Robotics and iGEM. The programme helps girls build technical skills, work on their own projects, and receive support from experienced members of the STEM community.
Spring 2026
Global STEM Forum
Together with Yurt Space and Technovation Girls, the initiative organized an international online forum with participants from more than three countries. Speakers shared their experience of delivering engineering projects and spoke about STEM education and professional development opportunities.
April–June 2026
Business Case Championship
In collaboration with Astana Hub, Girls Go First held a national case championship across 11 regions of Kazakhstan, with 137 teams and 441 girls taking part. Participants developed solutions to current problems in STEM education, building analytical, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills.
June 2026
Central Asian Hackathon
Together with OGMA Racing, Bloomwave, Youth Research Accelerator, and Astana Finance Club, Girls Go First organized an online hackathon for school and university students of Central Asia. Participants built a financial tracker solution and received feedback from Computer Science experts.
Draft record — pending organizer confirmation
02Objectives
Five objectives
- 01
Expand access to STEM education for girls from different regions of Kazakhstan and other countries.
- 02
Develop practical technical skills through workshops, engineering projects, and competitions.
- 03
Create opportunities for women's leadership in technology and entrepreneurship teams.
- 04
Connect beginners with experienced mentors, students, and professionals.
- 05
Strengthen international STEM cooperation by bringing together participants and experts from different countries to share knowledge and run joint initiatives.
Mission
To reduce the gap between girls' interest in STEM and their access to the knowledge, resources, mentorship, and leadership opportunities needed to realize their potential.
Main goal
To create an accessible and sustainable educational ecosystem that supports girls from their first introduction to STEM through independent project development, engineering competitions, and further professional growth.
03Who it is for
Who it is for
Primary audience
Schoolgirls and female students, mostly aged 12–22, interested in robotics, technology, engineering, programming, and entrepreneurship. Girls Go First brings together girls at every level — from beginners taking their first steps in STEM to experienced participants of engineering competitions and research projects.
Who else takes part
- Mentors and STEM experts — specialists ready to share knowledge and support participants as their projects grow.
- Participants and alumni of STEM programmes — members of FIRST Robotics, Technovation Girls, and other international STEM communities.
- Students and professionals — engineers, researchers, developers, and entrepreneurs interested in educational cooperation and mentorship.
- Volunteers and regional coordinators — people who help organize events and widen the initiative's geography.
- Educational and technology partners — universities, companies, laboratories, and organizations ready to support programmes, provide resources, and open new opportunities for participants.
Do I need previous STEM experience to join?
No. Many introductory workshops and educational programmes are designed for beginners. Some advanced sessions may have prerequisites.
Can boys participate?
Girls Go First is aimed first of all at supporting girls in STEM. Some team events do allow mixed teams as long as the event's requirements are met.
Can I participate from another country?
Yes, some international online programmes of Girls Go First are open to participants from other countries.
Will I receive a certificate?
Certificate information is published on the page of the relevant programme when organizers provide certificates.
How can I become a mentor?
Fill in the mentor application, stating your professional experience, technical specialization, and availability to support participants.
Can I join without a team?
It depends on the event. Introductory workshops may be designed for individual participants, while some competitions require a team application.
Your Future in STEM Starts Here.
Each big idea begins with a first step.
Whether you are discovering technology, developing your first project, or leading an engineering team, Girls Go First connects girls who are ready to learn, experiment, build, and lead.
Build. Lead. Go First.
Join Girls Go First