By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Prince William Living
Monica Nichols graduated in the top 10 percent of her high school class and was a member of the National Honor Society. By most measures, she was well prepared for college. Then she arrived at Michigan State University to study engineering and found herself starting in remedial math.
Nichols had not taken math or science during her senior year of high school, and no one had explained how that decision could affect her preparation for an engineering program. She went on to become an engineer, but she didn’t forget what it felt like to arrive at college without some of the preparation and guidance she needed.
Years later, that experience helped lead her to create Pink Space Theory, a Woodbridge-based nonprofit that gives young people access to the STEAM education, mentors, career experiences, and encouragement Nichols wishes she had received earlier.
Janie Harris nominated Pink Space Theory for the 2026 Prince William Living Giving Back Award because she believes that work is changing what local students believe is possible for their futures.
Reaching Students Before They Have to Choose
Pink Space Theory was founded in December 2018 and focuses particularly on underserved and underrepresented students. Its mission is to “expose, engage, and empower” young people through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math experiences that can help prepare them for future education and careers.
The organization’s P.I.N.K. philosophy stands for Prepare, Inspire, Nurture, and Kickstart. Those words translate into hands-on programs in advanced math, coding, engineering, design thinking, computer science, and other STEAM fields.
Since 2018, Pink Space Theory has reached more than 5,000 students, families, and educators and has worked with 13 Title I schools in Prince William County, according to Harris’s nomination. For Harris, the timing of that exposure matters.
She wrote that Pink Space Theory reaches students “before gaps in access, confidence, or awareness have the opportunity to shape what they believe is possible.” That gets to the heart of why Nichols started the organization in the first place.
A student can’t pursue a career she has never heard of. She can’t ask a mentor for advice if she has never met one. And, as Nichols learned herself, students need information early enough to make choices that prepare them for what comes next.
More Than a One-Day STEM Experience
Pink Space Theory has intentionally built programs that allow students to keep learning rather than simply attending a single event. Its G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds program provides advanced mathematics enrichment, coding, mentorship, career exposure, field trips, and family STEAM experiences. Students receive more than 80 hours of math and coding learning each year, and the program can continue with students for several years.
Make Tech P.I.N.K. gives fourth- and fifth-grade students hands-on experience with coding, computational thinking, and problem-solving while introducing them to technology careers. Since 2021, 167 students have completed the program.
Students also meet people working in fields they may someday enter themselves. Pink Space Theory has connected young people with industries including healthcare, engineering, advanced manufacturing, technology, transportation, and infrastructure. Partners have included UVA Health, Micron Technology, Dominion Energy, and I-66 Express Mobility Partners.
That makes a career less abstract. An engineer becomes someone you have met. A university becomes somewhere you have visited. A technology career becomes something you can picture yourself doing.
Confidence Shows Up in the Numbers
Harris’s nomination included academic results from the G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds program that are hard to overlook. Through the 2024-2025 school year, eligible students in the program achieved a 100 percent Math SOL pass rate. Among 98 percent of participants, post-unit assessment scores improved by an average of 375 percent, and 88 percent reported increased confidence in mathematics.
At one partner school, six fourth graders earned Advanced scores on the Math SOL. Four of those six students participated in G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds. Among the school’s third graders, five earned Advanced scores. The only girl among them was also a G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds participant.
The numbers tell part of the story. The kids tell the rest.
One teacher described watching a student who initially lacked confidence begin to blossom as the weeks went by. The change affected the teacher, too, inspiring her to continue working with the program. A military mother who was new to the area saw her daughter make friends, meet STEM professionals, explore careers, and become more comfortable asking for help.
When it came time for end-of-year testing, her daughter chose to wear her Pink Space Theory T-shirt. For her, apparently, it had become a little bit like armor. A reminder that she was prepared and that people believed in her.
Investing in Teachers, Too
One part of Pink Space Theory’s model that deserves attention is what happens with the teachers. Whenever possible, the organization hires licensed educators from the schools and communities it serves to teach its programs. That provides additional income for teachers, but there is another benefit.
Those teachers gain experience with advanced mathematics, coding, engineering, technology, and STEAM instruction that can go back into their regular classrooms. They also develop relationships with businesses, universities, nonprofits, mentors, and other community partners.
So an investment in one after-school program doesn’t necessarily end with the students enrolled in it.
A teacher learns something new and takes it back to a classroom. A school gains a new community connection. A business introduces students to careers in its industry. A parent attends a Family STEAM event and learns alongside a child. That ripple effect is an important part of what Pink Space Theory has built.
The “Why” Goes Back to One Student
Pink Space Theory has accomplished all of this without full-time staff leading its operations. Nichols continues to lead the nonprofit while working full time herself. Licensed teachers, volunteers, board members, businesses, universities, families, STEM professionals, and other community partners contribute the rest.
Harris believes that community-powered model is part of what makes Pink Space Theory deserving of a Giving Back Award. “The Giving Back Award would recognize a grassroots organization built from one person’s determination to make another student’s journey different,” she wrote.
I think that may be the simplest way to understand Pink Space Theory. Monica Nichols can’t go back and change the advice she received before college.
But she can make sure another young person gets better information. She can put an engineer in front of a child who has never considered engineering. She can help a student discover that she is good at math. She can create a place where asking questions and taking risks are encouraged.
And maybe, years from now, one of those students will arrive on a college campus a little more prepared because someone reached her early enough to make a difference.
Which Nonprofit Deserves the Giving Back Award?
Pink Space Theory is one of the organizations nominated as Prince William Living and Give Back Prince William recognize nonprofits making a difference throughout Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Do you know an organization whose work deserves to be recognized?
Nominate your favorite Prince William nonprofit for the Giving Back Award
Tell us who they are and why their work matters. Your nomination helps us introduce more people to the organizations working every day to improve quality of life in our community.
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Give Back Prince William works to strengthen our community and increase awareness through education while supporting organizations and initiatives that improve quality of life throughout Greater Prince William.
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