Microsoft Works To Expose DigiGirlz To Technology
A little ways back I got an email explaining a program that Microsoft was running in DC that focused on exposing young girls to technology. The email asked if I’d be interested in stopping by firsthand to see the program and to speak with some of the participants on behalf of BMWK. I accepted and was impressed with what I saw.
The program is called Digigirlz and is composed of basically high school females, mostly minority in an effort to expose them to some of the opportunities available with a career in technology. The free camp lasts 3 days and during that period the digigirlz (I love that name) are shown how to create a website for their school using Microsoft technology. The girls are broken down into groups and the various teams compete against each other. Everyone in the team has a role and purpose such as team lead, designer, researcher, and the person responsible for content. Having a technology background myself (along with three little girls at home) I was really impressed with what they were doing.
I sat down with Donna Woodall, Microsoft’s community outreach manager and Coryn LaVeist a high school junior from Virginia that’s sharpening her leadership skills as a Team Lead at Digigirlz. Woodall explained how up until the 5th grade boys and girls are on par in the areas of math and science but by the 8th grade girls begin to lose interest and by high school that interest is lost altogether. She explained that, “this program is all about dispelling the myths.” Microsoft wants these girls to know a career in technology isn’t as hard as it may seem (I tell people this all of the time), that being a techie doesn’t equal being a geek, (little ladies you can still be fly), and that there is a need for women in the technological workplace.
It was a true pleasure to speak with Coryn, you hear so much crazy stuff about teens that it was good to sit down and speak with one who seems headed in the right direction. She said she was enjoying herself at the camp and would take what she’s learned back to her school to help redesign their existing website. She did keep it real – by telling me as team lead she thought it was easier to manage boys than girls but she also explained what her career goals were and how technology may play at part in those somehow. In fact she said the technology being used at Digigirlz was what attracted her to the program. When I asked Coryn what was the most important thing she learned while at Digigirlz she said, “Women need to get into technology, and technology needs women too.”
I walked away with the feeling that Microsoft was doing something that would leave a lasting impression on a lot of those girls and that is what’s most important. The Digigirlz camp which is not formally advertised has taken off in it’ s second year just from word of mouth promotion. The camp originally had 40 girls in it’s first year. This year after taking applications for 3 weeks they had over 340 applications so the program was expanded to accomodate 100 girls. The program is held at various locations around the country so be on the lookout next year for Digigirlz in your area, it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss if it comes to your area.
Click here to view a photo gallery of the program…
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