
Film Fest
_Girls in STEM______
Girls in STEM Film Festival
TBD – Returning Fall 2024
In partnership with Breckenridge Film Festival, participating girls will learn about careers within the film industry as they produce their own short films. This program is open to any female student currently enrolled in 4th-8th grade. Students will create their own film with support from a variety of females currently working in the film industry. In past years this has included cinematographers, directors, film editors, producers and more.
At the close of the program, girls will present their short films during a scheduled event included within the Breckenridge Film Festival schedule. All parents will receive free entry to the final presentation.

Rates & Amenities
This program is subsidized on a sliding fee scale for local families – see the chart below. This price includes lodging in our dorms, all meals, programming and use of supplies and technology.
Free & Reduced Lunch rate | $65 |
CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus) rate | $190 |
Fully Pay rate | $350 |
Scholarships & Financial Assistance
If you have a financial barrier, please apply for a scholarship for the Girls in STEM program. All scholarships will be determined on a rolling basis and offered based on financial need.
Transportation
We offer free transportation to local families!
- KSS pickup students from school on Friday afternoon at 4pm from Silverthorne Elementary and Dillon Valley Elementary
- Parent Pickup in Breckenridge at the Film Fest on Sunday or drop-off back at Silverthorne Elementary & Dillon Valley Elementary
Packing List

Program Schedule
Please note that this program schedule may change based on the availability of our STEM Mentors.

Friday
Sept. 22
Pickup at Silverthorne Elementary & Dillon Valley Elementary | |
4-5pm | Arrival & Program Intro |
6:45pm | Film 101: Careers & Roles within Film |
8:00pm | Group Work: Design Thinking Process, Guiding Question, Storyboard creation |
9:00pm | Move into dorms and lights out |

Saturday
Sept. 23
9:00am | Intro to your teaching space |
9:30am | Film 202: Film Technique (editing, sound, cinematography) |
10:45am | Group Work |
11:30am | Lunch & Career Presentation |
1:30pm | Group Work |
5:30pm | Career Presentation |
6:00pm | Dinner with a Film Professional |
7:30pm | Short Film Workshop |
9:30pm | Candle Chat |

Sunday
Sept. 24
8:00am | Breakfast |
9am | Depart for CMC |
9:30am | Group Work |
11:30am | Lunch & Career Presentation |
1:30pm | Student Film Festival @ Breckenridge Theatre (121 S Ridge St)Doors open at 1pm |
2:30pm | Departure/Pick Up at Breck Film Fest |
2:30pm | Drop-off at Dillon Valley & Silverthorne Elementary |

Purpose and Focus of Girls in STEM
In today’s professional world there is a large gender gap in STEM focused careers. This gender gap is experienced not only in the workforce, but in the pursuit of post-secondary STEM degree programs. The research explains some of the disparities are due to lacking female self-esteem within STEM subjects, limited mentors working within STEM fields, and gender stereotypes within our society and educational system.
Program Goals
- Inspire confidence and leadership in young females through STEM-related fields.
- Incorporate the consensus-building process into interactive, engaging activities, while promoting a positive growth mindset.
- Encourage collaboration between female students and professional mentors.
- Apply learning and use the design thinking process to solve a problem.

Thank you to our Program Donors
Special thanks to Breckenridge Film Festival and HP for being partners for this program!
If you are interested in supporting this program please contact Development & Events Manager, Mike Pasquarella. MPasquarella@keystonescienceschool.org or (970)513-5833.
In the words of parents
“No phones. Dedicated time to focus on self. Reminders about gratitude. Getting in touch with nature. The counselors are strong, sweet, great role models.”
“My kid looks forward to this every year! It is so important for her to get out of her usual routine and meet new people and get a chance to be on her own.”
“We love KSS. The growth our kids have each summer is priceless. Thank you for all the hard work, planning and everything that goes into what you do!”
Check out more All-Girls programs at KSS!
Adventures is the next step in progression at KSS, and we have girls-only trips coming up next summer!
We also have more Girls in STEM programs coming up, including Water in the West this October!

All-Girls Climbing
Grades 6th-8th

Girls in STEM Water in the West
October 20-22