Techbridge Spotlight
Would you like to start your own girls' technology/science program or get training on new curriculum? Techbridge will host its second annual Techbridge Summer Training Institute in Oakland, CA. August 4-6, 2008.
Techbridge is pleased to announce the release of Get Involved. Make a Difference. A Guide for Classroom Visits and Field Trips for K-12 Students. This resource is a guide to help role models and corporations host effective classroom visits and worksite field trips. Please let us know if you would like a copy or find out how you can get training to work with students in your community.
Girls FIRST: A Guide to Starting Science Clubs for Girls by Linda Kekelis and Etta Heber.
Encouraging Girls in
Technology, Science and Engineering
Technical and scientific fields have lots of wonderful opportunities to offer girls, and girls have a great deal to offer science and technology. Unfortunately, most girls do not consider a career in these fields in which females are underrepresented.
The problem starts early. For example, girls are less inclined to enroll in a summer robotics camp or an advanced programming class than boys. While interested in math and science in elementary school, girls are less inclined to take advanced level classes in these subjects. But the problem isn't with girls. Take a look at computer games or course offerings and you'll find that most are designed for boys. Consider the early experiences of girls and you’ll find that most haven’t been encouraged to tinker with tools or build with blocks.
Imagine that there was a technology program designed just for girls. We did and developed the Techbridge program to introduce girls to various applications of technology and to encourage them to consider careers in technical and scientific fields. We talked to girls to find out what kinds of technology projects appeal to them. They had lots of ideas: addressing problems at school and in the neighborhood, working with tools, building robots, taking field trips, and meeting role models. They were also very enthusiastic about a program just for girls.
