Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project Newsletter

March 2014

The Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project (PNWGCP) brings together

organizations committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

PNWGCP Updates  

March is Women's History Month

This month, the Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project, National Girls Collaborative Project and FabFems, honored the extraordinary and often unrecognized determination and tenacity of women. Each week we highlighted a STEM field and featured women making a significant impact in that field. We also highlighted partners engaging and encouraging girls to pursue their interests in these STEM disciplines. The themes of Women's History Month included:

 

Week 1: Women in Aviation

Week 2: Women in Energy & Climate Change

Week 3: Women in the Maker Community

Week 4: Women in Earth & Space Science

  

The PNWGCP at STEMtastic

On March 8, 2014, the Pacific Northwest Girls Collaborative Project (PNWGCP) hosted a booth at the Museum of Flight's STEMtastic Resource Fair in Seattle, Washington. Youth and parents visited the booth throughout the day. Youth wrote down their science and technology aspirations for the Wall of Dreams, while adults learned more about PNWGCP and FabFems activities, including online and local resources available for encouraging girls to pursue their STEM interests.

  

Washington State Affiliate NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing Celebration

Congratulations to all of the Washington state National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing winners! The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women at the high school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. Award winners celebrated their achievements at the University of Washington on March 8, 2014, which coincided with International Women's Day. The celebration opened with a keynote from Kate Starbird, UW Human Centered Design & Engineering, followed by a career panel featuring Krista Davis, Google; Steph Burg, Microsoft; Colleen Ross, Yapta; and Katie Chironis, Signal Studios. The celebration concluded with hands-on activities and Educator and Girl Award Presentations.  Washington state winners are listed below.


Shivani B., Lakeside Upper School 

Lila B., Redmond High School

Megan B., Holy Names Academy

Rosie B., Holy Names Academy

Jacki C., John R Rogers High School

Kirsten D., Hazen Senior High School

Maya G., STEM High School

Abigail G., Holy Names Academy

Estella K., Kamiak High School

Shalva K., Mercer Island High School

Anita L., Newport High School

Samantha L., Central Kitsap High School

Alisha M., Newport High School

Alka P., STEM High School

Genevieve P., Lakeside Upper School

Naveena S., Woodinville High School

Jill S., Olympia High School

Maia S., Inglemoor High School

Christina T., Hazen High School

Katherine V., Roosevelt High School



During the event on March 8, 2014, two National award winners from Washington state were recognized: Alisha S., Interlake High School and Sumpurna B., Skyline High School.

FabFems Spotlight

FabFems are enthusiastic about the science and technology work they do and want to inspire our future generations. Encourage girls to visit FabFems to search profiles, connect with role models, and find resources on career pathways. To get more involved, 'like' our Facebook page, 'follow' our Twitter feed, and help fill our boards on Pinterest.

 

Meet Fay, Founder and Owner of bitwise E-textiles. Fay is an engineer and crafter who finds e-textiles to be the perfect intersection of her interests and an engaging way to teach electronics. She enjoys building things with Arduinos, knitting, spinning, and sewing. Fay will be teaching girls to sew LED cuff bracelets at her local Expanding Your Horizons Conference. Learn more about Fay at: http://www.fabfems.org/users/fay-shaw.

FabFems Logo

 

If you are a role model, submit a profile on FabFems.org to show girls what you do and what you are passionate about.

Events and Opportunities    

UW Engineering Discovery Days

Seattle, WA

April 25-26, 2014; 9:00 AM-2:00 PM

At this event students and faculty from all UW engineering departments will share their work with students, teachers, families, and the community. Attendees will participate in hands-on fun and learning. Registration for April 25, 2014 is closed, but registration for April 26, 2014 is available.

http://goo.gl/vkHFA5

 

Expanding Your Horizons (EYH)-Hawaii

Expanding Your Horizons Logo

Honolulu, HI

April 26, 2014

EYH is an opportunity for girls grades 5-9 to engage in hands-on workshops in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) led by Honolulu, Hawai'i's top scientists, engineers, and specialists. This event is designed to foster young girls' enthusiasm for STEM careers, inform them of professions and opportunities, and encourage them to continue their studies in science and math to reach their goals and objectives.

http://eyhhawaii.org/about.htm

 

Build Your Future

Monroe, WA

April 30, 2014; 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Build Your Future is a hands-on career fair for construction and advanced manufacturing. The career fair will showcase higher education, specialized trade skills training, and employment in construction and advanced manufacturing in Snohomish County.

 

Hawaii STEM Conference

Maui, HI

May 2-3, 2014

Students, teachers, parents, community and business leaders involved in the STEM/Service Learning program are invited to gather on Maui to celebrate STEM learning projects, experience the excitement of a regional technology conference and share stories with other students from different islands. The conference holds technology competitions for students, and provides specialized breakout sessions for teachers and parents.

http://womenintech.com/HawaiiSTEMConference

 

Washington Women in Trades Career Fair

Seattle, WA

May 9, 2014

The Women in Trades Career Fair is an event aimed at increasing the overall number of women working in the trades and to help fill the imminent gap in the labor force. The event offers hands-on activities designed to introduce women and girls to the possibility of a future career in the trades.


Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Eastern Idaho Technical College

Idaho Falls, ID

May 12, 2014

EYH is a conference for girls grades 6-8. At the conference, girls will get a chance to meet STEM role models and learn more about careers in those fields. The ultimate goal of this conference is to motivate girls to become innovative and creative thinkers ready to meet 21st Century jobs. 

http://www.expandingyourhorizons.org/conferences/EYHatEITC/page2.php

 

e-Girls

June 13-14, 2014

Boise, ID

e-Girls is a free two-day adventure for girls grades 9-11 exploring engineering and computer science careers. Workshops led by Society of Women Engineers professionals and college students include: Biomechanics of Footwear, Packaging and the Environment, Virtual Worlds with Alice, Solving Forensic Mysteries, Physics of Rock Climbing/Rope Walking, and A World of Career Choices. 

Application deadline is May 1, 2014.

http://coen.boisestate.edu/k-12/files/2011/06/E-Girls-Flyer2014.pdf 

Resources

Challenger Learning Center of Alaska (CLCA)

The CLCA is a resource for the state of Alaska. Using simulated space and earth science missions, distance education and hands-on workshops, the CLCA inspires youth to develop an interest in STEM, and to consider careers in these fields. Using space and earth sciences as a medium, participants work in an environment that spans the academic areas while learning valuable skills in problem solving, communication, and teamwork.

http://www.akchallenger.org

 

DigiGirlz Logo

DigiGirlz High Tech Camp 

This camp provides girls with an opportunity to experience, firsthand, what it is like to develop cutting-edge technology. During camp sessions, girls will listen to executive speakers, participate in technology tours and demonstrations, network, and learn through hands-on experience in workshops.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/programs/digigirlz/hightechcamp.aspx

 

Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program

This is a free summer program for high school girls grades 10-11. Participants will receive instruction in computer science, robotics, web design, and mobile development. Additionally, the program includes workshops and presentations from female engineers and entrepreneurs; field trips to technology companies, startups, and academic institutions; and engaging, career-focused mentorship. Application deadline is April 9, 2014; 9:00 PM Pacific.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TTGGAvt7RjD3UO0dqhDNSeDr7JhNMix52J6KbV_RAFQ/viewform

 

Technology Access Foundation (TAF)

TAF is a nonprofit leader in STEM education that addresses three problems that keep students of color away from STEM: low expectations, a shortage of role models in STEM, and lack of access to a quality, STEM-focused education. TAF partners with public education, businesses, and the community to engage students in the real world of STEM.

http://www.techaccess.org

 

University of Washington Computer Science & Engineering (UW CSE) Course Scholarship

The UW CSE will cover the tuition for one middle or high school teacher to take CSE 142 for credit this summer ($1000). CSE 142 is a Java-based introduction to programming and computer science comparable in scope to College Board's Advanced Placement Computer Science course.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HobeLpZ4BUgyr7NOJJxlthbfW9jI330Kf_KZJtkZyO0/viewform

 

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/programs 

 Partners
Contact Us

EdLab Group

The EdLab Group is a private, non-profit organization with funding from federal and state governments, private foundations, corporations, and individuals. Our mission is to leverage the power of technology and diversity to transform teaching and learning.  

 

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