Girls Day in Spanish ICT Schools Marisa Gil (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya,UPC)

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Herbert Kelly
8 years ago
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1 Girls Day in Spanish ICT Schools Marisa Gil (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya,UPC) 1

2 Start Scenario The number of female students that choose technological studies and careers is continuously declining. Girls don t know what an IT professional profile involves. Activities to bring computers and technology closer to high school students. Computing days. Computing camps. 2

3 Girls into Computing Days Mostly aimed at years old. Conducted by academics and professionals to foster female-student interest in IT degrees and careers. Different organizations: Hands-on activities/industry talks. Large-scale vs. smaller personal programs. Thematic days. Highlighting female roles. Experiencing a University Real Day. Sharing experiences with women IT professionals. 3

careers. Different organizations: Hands-on activities/industry talks. Large-scale vs.

4 Twenty Years of Girls into Computing Days: Has It Been Worth the effort? A. Craig, C. Lang and J. Fisher, Victoria, Australia,

5 History 1987: first documented Girls Day (U.K.). 2003: first Amb ulls de dona (Through a woman s eyes) at UPC (promoted by the Badalona Town Hall). 2008: ICT4Girls: small personal program experience at UPC. 2008: first Girls Day at Universidad de Zaragoza. 2009: Open house Day at UPC for students (girls and boys) at each Technological School. 5

Town Hall). 2008: ICT4Girls: small personal program experience at UPC.

6 Amb Ulls de Dona (Through a Woman s Eyes) Not organized by University or Schools (Badalona Town Hall). Attendees: Several secondary schools from Badalona. Around 100 students. Goal: increase female presence in scientific professional degrees. Technical school visits by teams. Female researchers and graduate students guiding the tour. Open to all girls. Different skills and aptitudes. 6

Goal: increase female presence in scientific professional degrees.

7 Girls Day (U. de Zaragoza) Attendees: 17 secondary schools. 710 students. Hands-on labs. 19 labs. 30 female researchers. Volunteers: 38 female students. Industry (Open House): 5 enterprises. 7

8 ICT4Girls 30 students. Visit FIB: guided by female undergraduates. Attend a class adapted to high-school level in a University classroom by a University professor. Visit a research team (BSC/Marenostrum). 8

9 Results? About the activity (Girls Day) itself: Questionnaires: improved interest and knowledge in computing activities. About the impact on IT degrees: Girls enrolment in IT degrees continues decreasing in recent years: FIB: 8.7% girls Spanish Informatics' Schools: ~10% girls 9

10 Is a Girls Day enough to engage girls in a technical degree? 10

11 Some Conclusions A Girls Day is an amazing experience to improve self knowledge and perception about IT degrees and IT careers. Visibility about the role of women IT professionals increases in general (also in media). There are more inputs that influence the decision making of the future profession. Promoting positive attitudes increases the appeal of a professional path in the future. 11

Visibility about the role of women IT professionals increases in general (also in media).

12 Some Reflexions Girls are more influenced than boys by parents in their career choices. Involve family in their IT experiences Perception about the vision and the attitude that society has towards technology is important. Girls more than boys chose a degree where they feel confident about being able to do their own work. Value and reward their suggestions and solutions 12

society has towards technology is important.

13 Is a Girls Day enough to engage girls in a technical degree? YES, BUT. 13

14 Our Vision Before: Establish some periodic activities. Related with real problems. Make positive social contributions visible. Involve family in their Girls day (Uvic experience). Mother s Day and Father s Day LEGO robotics. After: Try to involve students in finding IT solutions to problems. Highlight the most relevant skills related to technical jobs that students have. Stimulate and reward their own solutions. Always: make visible how technology helps (or not) society and people. 14

Mother s Day and Father s Day LEGO robotics. After: Try to involve students in finding IT solutions to problems.

15 Thanks to MuIN, DAC and FIB. Especially to: María Villarroya, Beatriz Otero and Josep Fernández. 15

16 Girl s Day in Spanish ICT Schools 16

UMYC Unidad de Mujeres y Ciencia

UMYC Unidad de Mujeres y Ciencia DONA Program: To increase women enrolment in Engineering and Technology in the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC)- Spain Capitolina Díaz capitolina.diaz@mec.es 1 Female and Male election of university