Partnering for Progress: 66 Express Community Spotlight

Highlighting Local Organizations Driving Positive Change in the Region

Pink Space Theory

Introducing Girls to the World of Science and Technology

Imagine you’re a student attending school in Prince William County. You’ve always been fascinated by high-tech gadgets—and the science that makes them work.

Now imagine the incredible advantages of getting to experiment with that technology hands-on, exploring the scientific, technological, and engineering concepts behind the latest and greatest advancements.

For hundreds of students across Northern Virginia, local nonprofit and 66 Express community partner Pink Space Theory makes those advantageous experiences a reality.

Pink Space Theory is a mobile STEM-focused educational outreach organization providing “maker spaces” in which students can “create, invent, tinker, explore, and solve real-world challenges” by leveraging their growing knowledge of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Founded by president and CEO Monica Nichols, Pink Space Theory offers a variety of engaging workshops and programs targeting students from kindergarten through high school.

“Our motto is ‘Creating space for the love of learning’ and that perfectly describes our mission,” Ms. Nichols said. “We work every day to provide students with fun, unique, engaging learning opportunities that inspire them to want to learn more.”

One of those learning opportunities, a program called Game Changineer, teaches kids computational thinking through video game design. Another initiative, known as G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds, helps girls deal with and overcome math anxiety.

And a third, Make Tech Pink, encourages girls from disadvantaged communities to grow their knowledge of computer coding and technical skills by controlling a robot ball by the name of Sphero.

“We love watching kids gain more and more confidence in their knowledge and skills in STEM fields,” Ms. Nichols continued. “It’s well worth the time, energy, and expense required to provide these mobile maker spaces at no cost to schools across the region. But we rely on valuable corporate partners such as I-66 EMP to impact as many students as we do.”

The 66 Express Supports STEM Education in Northern Virginia

The partnership between Pink Space Theory and I-66 Express Mobility Partners, the builder and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway between I-495 in Fairfax County and Gainesville in Prince William County, began in the summer of 2024.

The nonprofit was set to launch its Make Tech Pink program for the upcoming academic year, and I-66 EMP stepped up with a $6,500 donation to help fund the students’ hands-on experiential learning with the Sphero robot ball.

In November 2024, a group of students visited I-66 EMP headquarters in Manassas to design their own snowplows and learn how STEM principles apply to winter road maintenance.

The following February, the roadway operator teamed up with Pink Space Theory to Make Tech Pink again, sending a panel of experts to Swans Creek Elementary School in Dumfries on Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. The students showed off their latest STEM projects and took part in a Highway Interchange Design workshop.

I-66 EMP reinforced its dedication to supporting STEM education by contributing $10,000 to the Make Tech Pink program in July 2025.

Just recently, in December 2025, the 66 Express operator held its second annual field trip for Pink Space Theory, again welcoming an incredible group of fourth and fifth grade girls from Swans Creek Elementary for a day of hands-on exploration. From building snowplows and testing them in simulated snow, to learning the science behind winter weather and how roadways are safely plowed, students experienced STEM concepts in action. They even stepped into the same simulator technology used by 66 Express plow operators, applying problem-solving skills to real-world transportation challenges.

Combining the impact Pink Space Theory has made on thousands of students throughout Northern Virginia with I-66 EMP’s commitment to supporting STEM-focused learning, the partnership between the educational non-profit and the roadway operator has much more to come.

“We’re delighted to say that Pink Space Theory is one of our strongest and most productive partnerships in the community,” said Nancy H. Smith, corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP. “By emphasizing the importance of STEM education – one of the foundational pillars of our community outreach – Pink Space Theory is creating a brighter future for students all around Northern Virginia.”