Gender Stereotypes in Dallas Schools
Did you know that last week Dallas public schools bussed thousands of boys to a movie screening of “Red Tails” — which tells the story of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen pilots, who during World War II became the first black aviators to serve in the U.S. Military — but excluded girls? A spokesman for the Dallas Independent School District said officials took only boys to see “Red Tails” because space at the movie theater was limited; leaders of the district also “thought boys would enjoy the movie more than girls.” Some female students were shown a different movie instead, “Akeelah and the Bee,” about an 11-year-old girl who competes in a national spelling bee.
Ana Rios, 11, a fifth-grader at Nathan Adams Elementary School in Dallas, said she wanted to see “Red Tails” – especially since she had already seen “Akeelah and the Bee.” She planned to watch the movie on her own. “We are learning African-American history, and it would be a great movie to see,” she said.
**************************************************************
TechSpark Connects Startups with College Students
Did you know about TechSpark, a new program at Carnegie Mellon University? It’s a networking event that aims to connect college students and alumni with jobs and internships at local startups. As “startup ecosystems” pop up in regions outside of Silicon Valley, a growing number of universities are working to meet the hiring demands of local companies by providing them with better access to tech talent. Have you reached out to the universities near you? How do you connect with graduates?
**************************************************************
How to Explain the Value of Gender Diversity
Did you know that many people miss the point of gender diversity because they misunderstand its value? If you’re thinking about gender diversity as an argument for “equal value” or “sameness” you might miss the fact that the real value in gender diversity is to capitalize on our very differences.
“Gender diversity means that companies have the benefit of a multitude of viewpoints and ways of solving problems and a wealth of critical insight to draw from as they approach 21st century complexity in a diverse, global marketplace,” says Barbara Annis. Her concept of “gender intelligence” means regarding the presence or absence of diversity not as a measurable number but as an index of value. “Especially in finance and technology, companies were saying ‘we’ve got one woman or we’ve got five women,’ but they weren’t saying ‘we need their perspective.'”
**************************************************************
6 key skills new IT grads are lacking
Did you know that Computerworld magazine talked with IT managers and found that there are some essential skills they think recent IT graduates are lacking? The six skills they mention are a knowledge of business basics, experience With systems integration, emerging technologies expertise, tech “basics” (troubleshooting, command prompts, etc.), familiarity with legacy systems, and the ability to work on a team. One manager acknowledges that “It’s a horrible thing to say, but there’s just not enough time [in college to learn] all the skills that people need to be successful. We are expecting more and more, and universities are supplying more, but we’re asking for still more.” Does your school teach these skills? How do you manage the responsibility of educator vs. employer to get new grads up to speed?
**************************************************************
PCAST Report Supports New Approach to STEM Education
Did you know that the PCAST report is out? “Engage to Excel: Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” has just been released by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The report bursts with recommendations that support your work as an NCWIT member and in your own organization, including: adopt evidence-based teaching methods; diversify and broaden pathways to STEM degrees; and focus on the “underrepresented majority” (women and members of underrepresented groups now constitute approximately 70% of college students while comprising a minority of students who receive undergraduate STEM degrees.)
Did You Know? is a brief round-up of information and news that crossed NCWIT’s radar this week that we think might be of interest to you. Practices or content of the news presented are not vetted or endorsed by NCWIT.
- K-12
- K-12
- I Want To
- K-12 Resources
K-12 Resources
Act and advocate for more inclusive computing learning experiences. Encourage and inspire students to explore computing pathways that match their interests and abilities.
- K-12 Programs
K-12 Programs
Inspire and encourage individuals of all backgrounds, equip K-12 and higher education influencers, and foster virtual and in-person communities at local, regional, and national levels.
- K-12 Alliance
K-12 Alliance
Mobilize year-round alongside formal and informal educators and other adult influencers nationwide working together to create lasting impact.
- Get Involved
- Higher Education
- Higher Education
- I Want To
- Higher Ed Resources
Higher Education Resources
Build consensus for action amongst colleagues, leaders, and advisors to create momentum for measurable, sustainable change within computing departments and institutions.
- Higher Ed Programs
Higher Education Programs
Recognize students’ computing aspirations, honor faculty for their outstanding mentorship, secure strategic buy-in for lasting change, and more.
- Higher Ed Alliance
Higher Ed Alliance
Mobilize year round alongside faculty, staff, administrators, department heads, and other mentors nationwide working together to create lasting impact.
- Get Involved
- Workforce
- Workforce
- I Want To
- Workforce Resources
Workforce Resources
Employ strategic approaches that avoid the typical pitfalls of traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion interventions.
- Workforce Programs
Workforce Programs
Volunteer to engage with the next generation of technologists, amplify the bottom-line benefits of diverse technological contributions, and more.
- Workforce Alliance
Workforce Alliance
Mobilize year round alongside corporate seniors, executives, and team leaders nationwide working together to create lasting impact.
- Get Involved
- Resources
- Resources
- Programs
- Programs
- Aspirations in Computing
Aspirations in Computing
Aspirations in Computing (AiC) provides encouragement, enables persistence, opens doors, and changes lives for women in technology from K-12 through career.
- BridgeUP STEM
BridgeUP STEM
BridgeUP STEM provides opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to learn the skills of computer science and research methodology within a research university setting.
- Color of Our Future
Color of Our Future
The Color of Our Future focuses on broadening the meaningful participation of underrepresented women and girls of color (Black, Latinx, and Native American).
- Conversations for Change
Conversations for Change
Conversations for Change is an online thought leadership series that presents research-based recommendations and prompts peer-to-peer discussions to further inclusivity in computing.
- Counselors for Computing
Counselors for Computing
Counselors for Computing (C4C) offers professional development to school counselors, positioning them to effectively guide ALL students in exploring computing pathways.
- Higher Ed Programs
Higher Ed Programs
Higher Ed programs recognize students’ computing aspirations, honor faculty for their outstanding mentorship, secure strategic buy-in for lasting change, and more.
- NCWIT Recognitions
NCWIT Recognitions
NCWIT Recognitions foster great potential that otherwise may have gone unrecognized, and foster great ideas that might never have come to fruition.
- Regional Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
NCWIT’s Regional Initiatives bundle research-backed programs and practices to increase the local participation of women and girls in tech fields and careers. To understand local computing ecosystems, and cater content and programming to needs on the ground, NCWIT partners with community stakeholders to build awareness, inspire participation, and connect women to like-minded peers, role models, and opportunities.
- Sit With Me
Sit with Me
Sit With Me uses its iconic red chair to create in-person and virtual spaces where everyone can reflect on the value of diversity and inclusion.
- Tech Inclusion Journey
Tech Inclusion Journey
The Tech Inclusion Journey (TIJ) is a unique, scalable software platform that empowers change leaders to implement systemic, sustainable approaches to the creation of inclusive cultures.
- Aspirations in Computing
- News & Events
- News & Events
- NCWIT Summit
NCWIT Summit
The NCWIT Summit: where conversations lead to change is the world’s largest annual convening of change leaders focused on significantly improving diversity and equity in computing.
- News
News
Check out NCWIT’s latest press releases, press mentions, newsletters, blogs, and articles we are talking about!
- Events
Events
NCWIT offers various in-person and virtual events throughout the year and is also present at many other industry events. Find out about past and upcoming items here.
- re:think Magazine
- NCWIT Summit
- About NCWIT
- About NCWIT
- LOG IN