If we aim to provide equitable STEM education for every student in the United States and developa diverse workforce, it is critical to develop and offer barrier-free leadership and science educationprogramming to inspire women and gender non-confirming high school students in rural areas toenter the STEM pipeline. We propose to develop an existing program in southeastern Arizona forunderserved high school girls and gender non-confirming students that first brings participants intothe backcountry to learn about local ecology and natural resources while developing leadershipskills and then facilitates a year-long mentorship between participants and near-peer women inSTEM. We further propose to deploy the program in south central Michigan and subsequentlyassess how aspects of the Arizona-based curriculum translate to a new location. We will achieve theproject goals through specific objectives in two Educational Need Areas: Student ExperientialLearning, and Curriculum Design & Materials Development. This project will deliver life-changing science programing to over 80 students, and we expect to identify how best to transport curriculum for place-based science programing across state lines. Overall, the GALS Arizona & Michiganproject will develop student scientific and leadership competencies by providing opportunities forhigh-school women and gender non-confirming students from rural areas to participate in science,take on leadership roles, explore diverse career opportunities in FAHN sciences, and connect withfemale and minority scientist mentors.