L’Oreal USA’s For Girls In Science is an initiative dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls to pursue their career goals in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The brand has launched a “Connected Through STEM” sweepstakes on helix.forgirlsinscience.org.

The new sweepstakes invites people of all ages across the country to create a photo of themselves – alone or with friends, family, or pets – with the L’Oreal double helix, to show their connection and commitment to STEM.

According to L’Oreal, the double helix (shown in photo) symbolizes how STEM can change the world, by explaining, “the bond between the two helices creates DNA, the building blocks of all that is possible.”

Participants can upload their photo on Facebook or use the hashtag #lorealhelix on Twitter or Instagram.

With the photo submissions, L’Oreal is creating a map of America called the Helix Heat Map, to capture the number of entries in each state. Photos can be viewed in the Helix photo gallery.

Submissions are bieng accepted from July 1, 2013 through September 23, 2013. Winners will be selected at random. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship, a 16GB new laptop and $250 (retail value) worth of L’Oreal USA beauty products. Ten Visa gift cards, each worth $75, will be awarded weekly.