Purdue News
Purdue News
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May 19, 2000 Girls explore high-tech careers at innovative campWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Girls who have finished grades six or seven have until May 31 to complete applications for an innovative summer camp that will help them explore rewarding careers in technology. "Exploring Interest in Technology and Engineering" is a week-long, nonresidential summer camp designed to expose middle school girls to engineering and computer science. The program is offered by Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network. The pilot project, supported by IBM, will take place at six U.S. universities, including Purdue University, this summer. Youngsters attend camp July 24-28, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The fee of $50 for the week includes an awards dinner and presentation on Friday for family members. Applications are available by calling Carol Stwalley at (765) 494-0758, cgss@ecn.purdue.edu. Applications must include a completed form, a recommendation letter from a math or science teacher and a short essay from the student. Women engineers from IBM, university professors and graduate students will serve as project teachers, speakers and mentors. "The shortage of engineers is a national issue, not just a women's issue. Our nation faces a serious shortage of technical workers," said Linda Scherr, director of IBM's Women in Technology program. "Girls, in particular, need role models and hands-on experiences to encourage them to overcome stereotypes that may discourage them from pursuing careers in technology." "We want to reach girls – instill an excitement, passion and relevance about engineering and computer science in girls – at an age before stereotypes encourage them to pursue more traditionally female careers," said Susan Staffin Metz, who is president of the network and director of the summer program. By middle school, she added, youngsters are already making course and extracurricular choices that may affect their adult career paths. The summer program will be open to approximately 240 girls, who have completed grades six or seven, or an average of 40 participants at each university site. Each program's format will be similar but tailored to highlight a participating university's areas of expertise. Among the subjects to be covered in seminars include working in a team, decision making and communicating effectively. Laboratory experiences will include animated web-page design, robotic design, computer hardware, and more. "The need for women engineers has never been greater. The nation faces a severe shortage of qualified engineers in a number of specialties with women accounting for less than 10 percent of all U.S. engineers. The United States has made significant strides in getting girls to take more math and science courses," Metz commented. Schools participating in the pilot project are Purdue; University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez; The University of Texas at Austin; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Binghamton University; and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta. For more information on the summer program, contact Liz Chalk, (201) 216-5245 or echalk@stevens-tech.edu. Women in Engineering Programs & Advocates Network, a nonprofit educational organization, was founded in 1990 to be a catalyst for change to enhance the success of women in the engineering profession. It has raised more than $5 million in private, foundation and federal government grants. A 20-member board of directors from academia and industry oversees the organization. CONTACTS: Carol Stwalley, (765) 494-0758, cgss@ecn.purdue.edu Liz Chalk, (201) 216-5245, echalk@stevens-tech.edu Compiled by J. Michael Willis, (765) 494-0371; jwillis1@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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