Plano, TX — Frito-Lay North America is teaming up with actress and science-fiction star Sonequa Martin-Green for the return of its Back-to-School Blast Off program. This year, the snack brand also partnered with STEM Next’s Million Girls Moonshot, an initiative to engage one million more girls in STEM learning opportunities through after school and summer programs by 2025. The brand will donate $100,000 to further the program’s mission and send the organization’s inaugural “Flight Crew” to Space Camp.
“Representation matters and sometimes, all it takes to inspire us to achieve something is to see someone we can relate to doing it first,” says Martin-Green. “I’m honored for the opportunity to join Frito-Lay Variety Packs in their mission to inspire talented young girls everywhere to develop their passions for STEM and pursue their dreams.”
At FritoLayVarietyPacks.com/BlastOff, families can find STEM activities created by NASA Scientists using everyday household items, such as designing a heat shield or building a moon lander. Plus, consumers can share pictures of their family’s Back-to-School Blast Off activity with #SpaceForHer and #Entry on Instagram and/or Twitter they will be entered for a chance to have a ceremonial star named after a girl they know who is passionate about STEM. For every photo shared, the company will make a $20 donation to Million Girls Moonshot — up to $50,000 — in addition to the $100,000 donation.
Frito-Lay has also launched an interactive map on its website with a constellation of the ceremonial stars, noting their coordinates and names. The map will continue to grow through the duration of the program.
“Frito-Lay Variety Packs has always been an important staple of the back-to-school season, and we’re thrilled to celebrate young girls in STEM alongside Sonequa Martin-Green and Million Girls Moonshot,” says Danielle O’Keefe, senior director of brand marketing for Frito-Lay Variety Packs. “While we aspire to deliver joy through our snacks, we also seek to use our position to do more. This year we want to make our impact even more meaningful as we continue to support the dreams of young girls everywhere.”
