Sep 7, 2006 16:48
How IBM prepares the future women scientists
Posted by budip
Developing countries and established nations alike are looking forward to the contributions that the next generation of mathematicians, scientists and engineers will make to society.
IBM is encouraging middle school-age girls to take their place among these future innovators through its EXITE (EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering) camps.
More than 30 girls, aged 11 to13, took part in a variety of engineering and science-related projects at the week-long EXITE camps from September 4-7 in Jakarta.
Since I witnessed this project as far back as two years ago, I think the project is on the right track. I think the Technology Camp would be an effective trigger for middle school-age girls to deeply and genuinely understand any engineering and science-related activity.
When I once spoke with some participants, I was surprised that most of them actually weren't interested in learning about science before joining the camp. "I just knew that science is very interesting and exciting," one of female participants told me. "So, I want to a scientist. Scientist--it sounds nice and sexy," she said with a laugh.
Actually, that was the point.
"Traditionally, girls have shied away from taking math, science and technology courses because they didn't think they could excel in them, or thought the classes were unrelated to what they wanted to do in their lives," said Betti Alisjahbana, president director, IBM Indonesia.
As part of this year's program, EXITE Campers will work in teams with IBM employee volunteers on innovation projects. According to her, the campers will get a chance to present their innovations to local IBM volunteers and executives, who will in turn provide feedback.
"EXITE Camps have taught us over the years that when girls are given the chance to work on these types of projects and when they meet women role models using technology to establish successful careers or to help make this a better world, they begin to see the possibilities that math, engineering and science present in a very different light," said Alisjahbana.
The camp participants are nominated by counselors and teachers at middle schools that have an established relationship with IBM through such community outreach programs.
The program is open to all middle school girls who attend specific schools where IBM has a relationship, either through Reinventing Education, IBM MentorPlace or other such programs. While there may be some IBM daughters in the camps, enrollment will be based on predetermined criteria--not on affiliation with IBM.
Similar camps have also been running across the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Approximately 2,000 IBM volunteers, men and women will participate in the EXITE Camps, developing, coordinating and overseeing the innovation projects, as well as Web and computer chip design, laser optics, animation, robotics and working with computer hardware and software.
The volunteers will also introduce the campers to a variety of IBM technologies, including TryScience.org, an award-winning Web site designed to make learning more fun for kids.
Since its inception in 1999, 85 percent of the more than 5,000 girls who participated in an EXITE Camp have indicated that they would consider pursuing an engineering or technical-related degree when they go to college.
This shift in perception is critical for companies that depend on technical talent to fill key positions in addition to being timely, as evidenced by a recent survey by the Society of Women Engineers which indicated that 75 percent of girls, from 12-17, do not plan to pursue careers in math, science or technology.
At the conclusion of the EXITE Camps, the girls will take part in the MentorPlace program by being paired with IBM employees.
The mentors will correspond with participants during the school year via email, providing tutoring and encouraging the students to further pursue their interests in math, science and technology.
The IBM Technology Camps was likely tried to inspire worldwide "EXITE"ment for the future female scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.
Probably some of them will work with the Big Blue or at least become IBM technology users in the future.
A very smart move by IBM, right?
IBM is encouraging middle school-age girls to take their place among these future innovators through its EXITE (EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering) camps.
More than 30 girls, aged 11 to13, took part in a variety of engineering and science-related projects at the week-long EXITE camps from September 4-7 in Jakarta.
Since I witnessed this project as far back as two years ago, I think the project is on the right track. I think the Technology Camp would be an effective trigger for middle school-age girls to deeply and genuinely understand any engineering and science-related activity.
When I once spoke with some participants, I was surprised that most of them actually weren't interested in learning about science before joining the camp. "I just knew that science is very interesting and exciting," one of female participants told me. "So, I want to a scientist. Scientist--it sounds nice and sexy," she said with a laugh.
Actually, that was the point.
"Traditionally, girls have shied away from taking math, science and technology courses because they didn't think they could excel in them, or thought the classes were unrelated to what they wanted to do in their lives," said Betti Alisjahbana, president director, IBM Indonesia.
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| Betti Alisjahbana, president director, IBM Indonesia |
As part of this year's program, EXITE Campers will work in teams with IBM employee volunteers on innovation projects. According to her, the campers will get a chance to present their innovations to local IBM volunteers and executives, who will in turn provide feedback.
"EXITE Camps have taught us over the years that when girls are given the chance to work on these types of projects and when they meet women role models using technology to establish successful careers or to help make this a better world, they begin to see the possibilities that math, engineering and science present in a very different light," said Alisjahbana.
The camp participants are nominated by counselors and teachers at middle schools that have an established relationship with IBM through such community outreach programs.
The program is open to all middle school girls who attend specific schools where IBM has a relationship, either through Reinventing Education, IBM MentorPlace or other such programs. While there may be some IBM daughters in the camps, enrollment will be based on predetermined criteria--not on affiliation with IBM.
Similar camps have also been running across the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Approximately 2,000 IBM volunteers, men and women will participate in the EXITE Camps, developing, coordinating and overseeing the innovation projects, as well as Web and computer chip design, laser optics, animation, robotics and working with computer hardware and software.
The volunteers will also introduce the campers to a variety of IBM technologies, including TryScience.org, an award-winning Web site designed to make learning more fun for kids.
 |
| A mentor with participants |
Since its inception in 1999, 85 percent of the more than 5,000 girls who participated in an EXITE Camp have indicated that they would consider pursuing an engineering or technical-related degree when they go to college.
This shift in perception is critical for companies that depend on technical talent to fill key positions in addition to being timely, as evidenced by a recent survey by the Society of Women Engineers which indicated that 75 percent of girls, from 12-17, do not plan to pursue careers in math, science or technology.
At the conclusion of the EXITE Camps, the girls will take part in the MentorPlace program by being paired with IBM employees.
The mentors will correspond with participants during the school year via email, providing tutoring and encouraging the students to further pursue their interests in math, science and technology.
The IBM Technology Camps was likely tried to inspire worldwide "EXITE"ment for the future female scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.
Probably some of them will work with the Big Blue or at least become IBM technology users in the future.
A very smart move by IBM, right?
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