Webinar
Planning Role Model Activities to Attract Girls to Science/Technology
Free Webinar on Planning Role Model Visits and Field Trips to Engage Girls in Technology, Science and Engineering
IWITTS is proud to present a webinar on "Planning Role Model Visits and Field Trips to Engage Girls in Technology, Science and Engineering," presented by Dr. Linda Kekelis and Jeri Countryman of Techbridge. Hosted by Chabot Space & Science Center, Techbridge is an after-school and summer program designed to encourage girls in technology, science, and engineering.
This webinar will help anyone who is interested in doing outreach and introducing girls to role models in technology, science, and engineering. Classroom teachers, Girl Scout leaders, and afterschool program providers along with role models and those who do outreach at colleges and corporations will benefit from the practical strategies and resources discussed in this webinar.
Techbridge has reached over 2,500 girls since its founding in 2000, and provides hands-on projects, career exploration activities, and academic and career guidance. With hands-on projects like the Green Dollhouse Project and Cars and Engines that capture girls' interest Techbridge has successfully put girls into the STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math) pipeline. Key to the program's success are role models who help expand girls' career options in technology, science, and engineering.
Dr. Linda Kekelis
Dr. Linda Kekelis is Project Director of Techbridge. She has a master's degree in linguistics from the University of Southern California and a doctorate in special education from the University of California, Berkeley. With 20 years experience designing and leading girls' programs and in program evaluation, Dr. Kekelis co-founded Techbridge and also led its predecessor program, Female Involvement in Real Science and Technology, a NSF-funded science program for girls. She has conducted research and written extensively, translating research into practical applications for educators, professionals, and parents.
Jeri Countryman
Jeri Countryman is Project Manager of Techbridge. She has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Simmons College and master's degree in interdisciplinary computer science from Mills College. She is pursuing a doctorate in science education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Since 2001, Ms. Countryman has developed curriculum and trained teachers in Techbridge. Ms. Countryman conducts trainings for role models and corporate partners and disseminates outreach resources at professional conferences and workshops.
CalWomenTech Online Trainings are developed through funding by The Program for Research on Gender in Science and Engineering from the National Science Foundation - CalWomenTech Grant.
View this and Other IWITTS Online Trainings
Video Podcast Series Introduces Girls to Computer Science Careers
Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania's Women in Computer Science (WiCS) organization has developed a video podcast series titled, "Where is the Software?"
Research has shown that many girls aren't interested in computer science because they don't see its relevance. These podcasts show not only how computer science connects with many current issues, but also how creative and exciting building software systems can be.
Current Video Podcast Topics Include:
* Genetic Search
* Image Manipulation
* Spell Checking
The podcasts can be downloaded using iTunes or similar programs.
View the WiCS Video Podcasts
Train Counselors to Discuss Engineering with High School Girls
Engineer Your Life (EYL) is a program for high school girls to attract them to Engineering Careers. EYL has developed a program for school counselors to train other counselors on how to talk to high school girls about engineering. This section of the EYL website contains a training slide show, talking points, printable handouts, and preparation tips.
The training takes about one hour and it is recommended that first-time trainers work with a partner, so that it's easier to prepare, facilitate activities, and evaluate the training.
Resources provided:
1) Slide Show PowerPoint,
2) Talking Points PDF
3) Handouts, including:
-Take Engineering for a Test Drive PDF
-Recommended Coursework PDF
-Researching Engineering Schools PDF
-Scholarships and Financial Aid PDF
View the Engineer Your Life Training Materials
PIcoCricket We're delighted to bring you PicoCricket Kits to engage your female students in robotics, programming, math, science, and engineering principles! PicoCrickets are tiny computers that can make things spin, light up, and play music! As your female students work on PicoCricket project themes, they learn important math, science, and engineering principles -- and gain a deeper understanding of the process of design and invention. Your girls (or boys!) can plug lights, motors, sensors, and other devices into a PicoCricket, then program them to react, interact, and communicate. Let your students' creativity thrive with the many possibilities that PicoCrickets provide!
View PicoCrickets in Action and Find out More!
Career Videos of Women in 35 High Wage, High Demand Science, Technology and Trades Occupations
We are so excited to bring you these 35 outstanding career videos featuring women in traditionally male jobs that will inspire your female students to enter these technology, trades and science occupations!
Each 24-minute DVD reveals the personal experiences and insights of successful role models in technology and trades. They send the message that the sky is the limit to women and girls! Career areas range from Automotive and Aviation to Engineering, Robotics and Automation, to Heavy Equipment Operation.
Our career series will make a great addition to any career counseling center, library, technology classroom, or outreach team! Purchase the DVDs individually or as a 35-DVD set.
Watch video clips of all 35 career DVDs and learn more!
Tools of the Trade
DVDs Assist Your Students with Tool Identification and Use
Our new Tools of the Trade series will teach your female (and male!) students about basic trade-specific equipment by modeling the use of each tool while putting it into a real-world context to which students can relate. Your students will get a real world glimpse of what it's like to be a plumber , a carpenter , a mason , an electrician , an automotive technician , or a welder (coming soon!).
Each DVD is 19-32 minutes long and comes with a free downloadable instructors guide detailing educational standards, vocabulary, discussion questions, and project ideas for your students!
Find out More and Preview Video Clips of Tool ID Videos.
For more information visit: http://iwitts.com.