January 12, 2009

Purdue offering technology camp geared toward girls Feb. 19-21

The DOiT camp, which stands for Discovering Opportunities in Technology, will be held Feb. 19-21 at Purdue. It is open to all high school juniors, but the content is developed especially to reach out to girls, said Toni Munguia, director of diversity in the college.

Participants will take part in hands-on activities that will be of interest to girls in each of the eight majors in the College of Technology, learn the types of degree programs that Purdue offers in each area, and learn about the types of careers offered and the academic preparation needed to pursue those goals. Sessions and activities will be led by faculty in the college and members of the Women in Technology student organization.

The College of Technology offers majors in aviation technology, building construction management, computer graphics technology, computer and information technology, electrical engineering technology, industrial technology, mechanical engineering technology, and organizational leadership and supervision.

The DOit program has been offered since 2005. Munguia said that the program is helping attract women and underrepresented students to Purdue. Of the 10 participants in the program in 2005, five enrolled. In 2006, eight of the 21 students in the program enrolled at Purdue. In 2008, 51 students participated in DOiT.

Students participating in DOiT will stay in the Purdue Memorial Union Hotel. The cost to attend is $50, which includes all accommodations, meals and activities. Some scholarships are available.

Registration and parental authorization forms can be found at https://www.tech.purdue.edu/Camps/DO_iT/index.cfm. Forms must be submitted by Feb. 3.

For additional information about scholarships for the camp, contact Munguia at (765) 494-7522 or amunguia@purdue.edu. For questions about the content or registration process, contact Susan Martinez Manahan, assistant director of diversity programs in the college, at (765) 494-2331 manahan@purdue.edu.

DOit is one of several outreach camps offered by the College of Technology to middle and high school students. Other programs include Turned on to Technology and Leadership, Technology Expanding All Minds, Technology Advances Girl Scouts, Cheering in the Classroom, Windows of Opportunity for Women in Technology and the Vision program. More information on these programs can be found at https://www.tech.purdue.edu/Student_Life/diversity/  

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources:   Antonia Munguia, (765) 494-7522, amunguia@purdue.edu

Susan Martinez Manahan, (765) 494-2331, manahan@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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