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Resources & Tips to Encourage Girls in Technology

Techbridge home >> Tips for Parents & Adults

Cool Careers for Girls in Computers by Ceel Pasternak and Linda Thornburg. This glimpse into the lives of ten women involved in technology helps girls learn about careers they may not have considered. The series, which is written for girls, ages 11 through 14, also profiles careers in health, engineering, and veterinary science. 
http://www.impactpublications.com or
(703) 361-7300

Design Your Future offers resources to encourage girls in science, math, and technology careers. Be sure to check out their tips for Choosing a Career.
Autodesk, Inc., http://www.autodesk.com/dyf/dyfmain2.html

Does Jane Compute? by Roberta Furger. She will if her teachers and parents read this informative book. Mentoring, career guidance, computer clubs, and electronic penpals are just a few of the ideas offered in this book. 
Warner Books, http://www.warnerbooks.com

Expanding Your Horizons offers a day of hands-on fun to encourage girls in middle school and high school in science, technology, and engineering. Sponsored by the Math/Science Network, the workshops are led by role models. There are also workshops for parents and educators. http://www.expandingyourhorizons.org/

Gender Diversities and Technology is a clearinghouse that offers resources and professional development to promote technology skills, economic self-sufficiency, and healthy gender development.
Education Development Center,  
http://www2.edc.org/GDI/

GirlTech. Interested in books with strong female characters? Looking for web sites that offer positive role models and that encourage girls to speak up? Want to hear from girls on a variety of topics? Then check out this web site that includes sections for girls and for teachers and parents. 
http://www.girltech.com

Girls and Technology. An Idea Book for Educators and Parents. This book is filled with Internet sites and computer games for girls as well as lesson plans for teachers and adults who are interested in hosting a technology program for girls. 
National Coalition of Girls' Schools: http://www.ncgs.org or (978) 287-4485

Imaginary Lines, founded by former astronaut Sally Ride, encourages girls in technology, science, and mathematics. The program offers a variety of resources, including camps and community festivals. There are programs for teachers and parents.
http://www.imaginarylinesinc.com/

Institute for Women in Trades, Technology, and Science. IWITTS provides training and resources to recruit and retain women in the trades, technology, and science careers in which they are underrepresented. 
www.iwitts.com or (510) 749-0200

Intel Innovation in Education proves educational resources for K-12 students, with online resources and free classroom kits.
http://www97.intel.com/education/index.asp?iid=sr+teach&

Lifting the Barriers by Jo Sanders. The ideas presented in this very readable book help increase girls' participation in technology along with science and math. You are certain to find ideas to use in your family, program, or classroom. 
National Women's History Project, http://www.nwhp.org or (707) 838-6000 

National Women’s History Project. If you are looking for posters, videos, or books that "write women back into history," this is the resource center for you. Their technology and science selection is extensive. 
http://www.nwhp.org or (707) 838-6000 

Plugged In! Looking for projects and a web site to improve girls' skills and confidence in technology? Check out this model program developed for 
Girl Scouts of the USA. http://www.plugged-in.org or (816) 358-8750

TechGYRLS. Developed by the Young Women's Christian Association of the USA, this initiative supports clubs to give girls hands-on experience with technology. 
http://www.YMCA.org or (212) 273-7800

Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age. 2000. This reference by the American Association of University takes a thoughtful look at girls' participation in technology and raises legitimate concerns about the computer culture. American Association of University Women, 
www.aauw.org or (800) 225-9998, ext. 511

The Ada Project. TAP is a web site that offers resources relating to women (and girls) in computing. Learn about funding opportunities, conferences, and projects to engage your club in technology. http://www.mills.edu/ACAD_INFO/MCS/TAP/NEW/tap-services.html

Unlocking the Clubhouse: Women in Computing. Jane Margolis and Allan Fisher. Well researched and a good read, this book examines the many influences that contribute to the gender gap in technology. The book is based on interviews with computer science students at Carnegie Mellon University. MIT Press.

Women of NASA. This web site offers students a chance to meet women who work at NASA as astronauts, engineers, and technicians. It includes on-line chats, journal entries from Women of NASA, and lesson plans for teachers. http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women/

Tips to Encourage Girls in Technology

As a parent or interested adult, you can make a significant difference in a girl's future. Here are 12 ways to actively encourage girls in computers and technology. 

• Encourage your daughter to persevere when she is faced with a difficult challenge. Although some girls are likely to want to give up when faced with a problem, they will work through problems when encouraged. This trait is especially important when working with computers.

• Make sure that girls get their fair share of computer use. A student in Techbridge told us that her family had a computer but she never got to use it because her brother didn't let her! Unfortunately, this is not so unusual. In some homes the computer is in the boy's bedroom. 

• If you own a computer, make certain that the computer games and software don't appeal only to the boys in your family. Look for games—like the SIM and Carmen San Diego series and Tetris—that appeal to boys and girls and that promote healthy development. 

• Surf the Internet on a computer at home, local library, or community center with your daughter. Be sure to check out web sites that appeal to girls.

• Give a girl a biography of a female pioneer—past or present—in technology. Discuss how this role model surmounted obstacles and accomplished her goals.

• Encourage your daughter to take technology classes at her school, especially courses in design and programming. During the summer, encourage her to enroll in technology classes. All too often we find that boys enroll in these classes that give them a head start toward a promising future in technology.

• Discuss with your daughter her plans for the future. It’s never too early to begin to consider career options. Make certain that she is taking the courses she needs to prepare for her intended major or career. 

• Help a girl find a mentor who can help answer questions about careers in science or technology and how to get there. 

• Encourage girls to explore the workplace by helping them find adults that they can job shadow. Summer is a great time for children to visit the workplace and learn about different careers. 

• Encourage your daughter to create a portfolio that documents her achievements and helps her identify goals she’d like to set.  

• Look for examples of how technology is used to improve the world. Many girls express interest in careers that make the world a better place but may not realize how technology is compatible with such an interest. 

• Finally, spend time with your daughter and support her interest in technology. Learn which computer games she engages and the Internet sites that are her favorites. 

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. HRD 0080386. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.