About the Program

ExploreU is a week-long, STEM program for middle school girls completing 6th, 7th and 8th grade, held annually in the summer. The program is designed to help young girls learn math and computer science skills while having fun.

During the program, students use Scratch software to analyze patterns and learn the fundamentals of programming. This program teaches important mathematical and computational ideas while helping girls to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.

The students will learn about a wide variety of topics, including:

  • Scratch Programming
  • 3D Visualization
  • Geometer
  • SketchPad
  • Prime Numbers
  • The Fibonacci Sequence
  • Fractals
  • Cryptography
  • MIRA Contstructions
  • Recursion
  • Tessellations

ExploreU engages girls, opens their eyes to math and science in the world around them, teaches both ideas and skills, and ignites their interest in learning.


Tentative Schedule

8:30 – 9:00 Treasure Hunt
9:00 – 12:00 CS and Math Workshops
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 CS and Math Workshops
3:00 – 3:30 Treasure Hunt


Meet the Founders


Dr. Elizabeth Kleiman
Dr. Elizabeth Kleiman

Professor of Instruction
University of Iowa
Mail: elizabeth-kleiman@uiowa.edu
Phone: +1 (319) 467-1906

Dr. Elizabeth Kleiman is a program director of ExploreU and Professor of Instruction and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the department of Computer Science at the University of Iowa. She holds a PhD degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Iowa State University. Dr. Kleiman develops and teaches the Computer Science and 3D visualization workshops, prepares the program website and oversees program registrations. She is a former Associate Professor of Computer Science at Mount Mercy University.



Dr. Jitka Stehnova
Dr. Jitka Stehnova

Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies
University of Chicago
Mail: stehnova@math.uchicago.edu
Phone: +1 (773) 702-7332

Dr. Jitka Stehnova is co-founder of ExploreU and Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Chicago. She holds a PhD degree in Mathematics from University of Iowa. Dr. Stehnova develops and teaches the Mathematics workshops and oversees finances and program logistics. She is a former Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Mount Mercy University.