National Girls Collaborative Project New Collaboratives Informational Meeting
In April 2011, the National Girls Collaborative Project received funding from the National Science Foundation to reach additional states identified as high priority areas. We are pleased to announce three new Collaboratives beginning to organize in Arizona, Louisiana, and New Jersey. Program managers, guidance counselors, business partners, technical professionals, teachers, and representatives from professional organizations and higher education are invited to learn how the NGCP model can help your program or organization, and to network with colleagues to identify collaboration opportunities.

Arizona Girls Collaborative Project Informational Meeting Tucson, AZ September 28, 2011 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Pacific The Arizona Girls Collaborative Project is sponsored by Girl Scouts Southern Arizona-Sahuaro Council. Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=208

NGCP Webcast Making Programs More Inclusive and Accessible for Youth with Disabilities
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific
This webcast will provide an overview of various disabilities and strategies for enabling youth with disabilities to fully participate in your programs. Collaborations are key in making this happen easily and effectively. Exemplary programs and resources will be highlighted. This webcast is a collaboration between the National Girls Collaborative Project and the Computer Science Collaboration Project.
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=202

Calling All Digital Divas, Web Chix, and Coder Girls!
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is seeking applications from young women (grades 9-12) for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Awardees are selected for their computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education. National award winners will receive cash and prizes. Many states have local affiliates that also offer awards and recognitions. NGCP Collaboratives help conduct outreach to girls as well as educators that support girls' aspirations in computing. Applications will be accepted online September 15 through October 31, 2011.
Register: https://awardportal.ncwit.org/register.php

Indiana Girls Collaborative Project Annual Conference
Indianapolis, IN
September 22, 2011
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern
The second annual conference hosted by the Indiana Girls Collaborative Project provides an opportunity for networking and showcasing local STEM programs. The purpose of this conference is to support efforts to increase the involvement of girls in STEM education and careers. The conference agenda includes sessions on 21st Century skills, project-based STEM learning, grant writing, and developing sponsorships.
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=205

PA STEM Girls Collaborative Annual Conference
Allison Park, PA
September 24, 2011
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern
This conference will introduce attendees to exemplary practices for collaboration and gender equitable practices that motivate girls to pursue interests in STEM. Opportunities will be provided to develop new collaborations and connect with local resources. Mini-grant awardees will showcase their projects and exemplary practices. An optional networking reception will be held in the same location on Friday, September 23, 2011, 7:00-9:00 PM.
Register: http://www.ngcproject.org/events/events.cfm?eventid=209

This month we are beginning a new feature entitled Exemplary Practice Spotlight, designed to highlight a compelling research finding that informs our efforts to engage girls in STEM.

The September feature is from a recent journal article published by Dr. Jill Denner in the International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, What Predicts Middle School Girls' Interest in Computing?

This study found the strongest direct predictor of middle school girls' interest in computing classes and careers was the extent to which they see value in computing, in particular their technological curiosity. Technological curiosity refers to interest in going beyond using technology to an interest in understanding how it works, including working through the challenges of learning new technologies.

These findings suggest the importance of providing opportunities that motivate girls to dig deeper into the technologies they already use, aim to positively impact girls' values related to computing and increase girls' knowledge of how computing can fit with their values and interests.

Exploring the 'E' in GEMS (Girls Engineering Math Science): Engineering! for Middle-School Girls
A collaboration between the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac and Moraine Park Technical College provided middle school girls with an opportunity to participate in workshops taught by female engineers at Oshkosh Corporation. Engineers provided narratives describing their work experiences, why they decided to pursue engineering, and high school courses that are important to consider. Participants also enjoyed learning about liquid nitrogen and the day ended with homemade ice cream, created by using liquid nitrogen as the cooling agent. Girls reported having a more positive attitude about engineering, and that they are more interested in pursuing careers in the engineering field.
http://www.ngcproject.org/mini-grant/grants.cfm?grantid=756

The Grand Challenges Contest
Created to inspire students to pursue a STEM education, The Grand Challenges Contest is open to K-12, college and university students in public and private schools. Students are asked to summarize their science or engineering solution to one of the following challenges: harnessing solar power, providing access to clean water, or restoring urban infrastructure. Winners receive cash and an invitation to participate in the US Science and Engineering Festival.

First Annual National Day of the Girl
September 22, 2011
Day of the Girl is a movement to engage middle and high school girls in advocacy to address the issues that affect them. Encourage girls to get involved and contact their state and federal representatives about funding for STEM programs in their school districts. Online resources are available to help you hold a Day of the Girl event and to help girls learn about the issues.

Lights On Afterschool
Lights On Afterschool, brought to you by the Afterschool Alliance, is a nationwide celebration of afterschool programs designed to draw attention to the reality that high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs are crucial to children, youth, families, and communities. October 20, 2011 marks the 12th annual celebration and is being highlighted by the Light up a Landmark contest designed to shine a spotlight on the importance of afterschool programs in local communities. Deadline: September 23, 2011.
Details: http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm

2011 STEMtech Conference
Indianapolis, IN
October 2 - 5, 2011
Educators, industry leaders, and others will discuss increasing student access into and success in STEM majors and careers. Sessions will cover topics from recruiting and retaining students for STEM-related programs to using information technology to improve organizational and student learning.
Register: https://www.league.org/2011stemtech/SReg

Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Annual Conference: WE11
Chicago, Illinois
October 13-15, 2011
The WE11 conference is for experienced professionals and collegians. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in professional development led by industry experts, as well as plenary panels covering the latest technology and business innovations.
Register: http://we11.swe.org

Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference
Baltimore, MD
October 15 - 18, 2011
See how science centers around the globe are putting new ideas to practical use and demonstrating real results at the ASTC 2011 Conference: Knowledge that Works-From Theory to Practice. Learn how others are using social media and discover strategies for running successful programs.
Register: http://conference.astc.org

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Annual Conference 2011
Anaheim, CA
October 26 - 30, 2011
Ideal for pre-college, college and graduate students, teachers and advisors, and professionals who are pursuing careers or are employed in disciplines concentrating on science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields. This year's SHPE Conference will include a pre-college symposia designed to inspire Hispanic youth in grades 6 through 12.
Register: http://conference.shpe.org/2011

Scientists Dedicated to Advancing Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Annual Conference 2011
San Jose, CA
October 27 - 30, 2011
Interdisciplinary, inclusive, and interactive, the SACNAS annual conference offers a venue devoted to the advancement of scientists and science students. The theme, Empowering Innovation & Synergy Through Diversity, will include scientific research presentations, professional development, networking, exhibits, culture, and community.
Register: http://sacnas.org/events/national-conf

Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
Portland, OR
November 9 - 12, 2011
This conference is designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. This year's theme What If?, explores the idea that innovation in technology arises from questions.
Register: http://gracehopper.org/2011/participate/registration

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) 2011 Annual Conference
Minneapolis, MN
November 10-12, 2011
The AISES Annual Conference is a convening of high school juniors and seniors, college and graduate students, teachers, workforce professionals, and corporate partners. The 2011 conference theme explores STEM and issues on food, agriculture, plant science and technology, and the important roles these issues play in American Indian and Alaska Native tradition, health, and 21st century workforce.
Register: http://www.aises.org/nationalconference

Science and Math Informal Learning Educators (SMILE)
Science and Math Informal Learning Educators (SMILE) is a national partnership among science and technology centers, museums, community-based organizations, and out-of-school educators dedicated to making science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) exciting and engaging. This content rich website includes a collection of free science and math activities designed specifically for non-classroom settings and many of the activities are available in Spanish. To find Spanish-language activities type "Spanish" in the main search window on the homepage.
http://howtosmile.org

New U.S. Department of Commerce Report Finds Greater Wage Parity, Premium for Women in STEM Jobs
The U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) has issued a report on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) jobs and higher education. The report, Women in STEM: A Gender Gap to Innovation finds there are fewer women than men in STEM jobs and attaining degrees in STEM fields. The report found many possible factors contributed to the discrepancy of women and men in STEM jobs, including: a lack of female role models, gender stereotyping, and less family-friendly flexibility in the STEM fields. This report can be used by educators and other stakeholders to provide a case for support of the need to encourage and support girls and women in STEM.

Science Matters
Science Matters is a free newsletter produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All content is copyright free and may be reprinted for programs and lessons in environmental science. This resource includes relevant information about topics like climate change, air, pollution, green living, and water.

Integrating Mathematics, Science and Language: An Instructional Program
SEDL is a not-for-profit specializing in education research, development and dissemination and offers a number of free resources online. Their website includes free science and math lesson plans designed to help K-3 educators increase the achievement of English language learners in science and mathematics. The guide also offers instructional strategies and assessment procedures.
http://www.sedl.org/scimath/pasopartners

A Sightseer's Guide to Engineering
Brought to you by the National Society of Professional Engineers and National Engineers Week, A Sightseer's Guide to Engineering provides information on interesting tours and sites around the United States involving engineering. This web-based travel guide provides fun destination information while teaching how engineering improves our quality of life and helps make the economy work.
http://www.engineeringsights.org

NGCP Program Directory - Register your Program Today!
The online Program Directory lists organizations and programs that focus on motivating girls to pursue STEM careers. The purpose of the directory is to help organizations and individuals network, share resources, and collaborate on STEM-related projects for girls. When you sign up for the Program Directory, you will enter your program description, resources available within your organization, program and/or organizational needs, and contact information. http://www.ngcproject.org/directory

Girls in Jordan Science Camp Aim for Brighter Future
A science camp in Jordan is helping disadvantaged girls gain confidence to aim for a university education. The creator of the camp, Yara Sifri, is a 17 year-old Palestinian girl who lives in Canada. Her regular visits to grandparents in Jordan precipitated the idea. She and her parents have collected $30,000 to fund the camp. According to a 2010 UNESCO Institute for Statistics report on women in science, only 21% of researchers in Jordan are female, compared with 34% on average in Europe. Since access to education is difficult for young girls, often due to social customs, this camp presented a rare and exciting experience.
http://news.maars.net/blog/2011/07/20/girls-in-jordan-science-camp-aim-for-brighter-future/

American Association of University Women (AAUW) members across the country are serving as Regional Liaisons for the National Girls Collaborative Project. These Regional Liaisons help the people involved in the NGCP to make connections - to one another, to resources on gender equity, and to AAUW.

AWE is the Assessing Women and Men in Engineering Project, which provides exportable assessment instruments, literature resources, and methodologies for Women in Engineering and similar programs. AWE has developed resources for use by K-12 STEM programs as part of NGCP services.