The 2011 theme for International Women's Day is "Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women." As a lot of us bemoan the dearth of women in the science and tech fields, and the pressure on girls to go with the softer subjects in school, there are several great programs out there doing their best to change that. Check out this list of organizations working to raise the number of girls and women in the science and tech fields:
- Expanding Your Horizons Network: This group organizes conferences and mentor programs for girls interested in science and math. There are games available on their website, and great resources and inspiration.
- Ignite: a group of volunteer women in the science and technology fields who speak to mainly high school girls about their work experiences. They state on their site that many of these girls "use familiar technology everyday (cell phones, video games, the Internet), but most have never considered careers that envision, develop, market, sell, apply, or rely on these and other technologies." Ignite hopes to change that and to lead more girls into STEM related fields.
- AWIS (Association for Women in Science: This organization has fought for forty years for equal pay and opportunity for women working in the scientific field. They offer mentoring, networking and career management for women, and serve as an inspiration for girls who want to work in the field.
- Braincake: GREAT website for girls aged 11-17 designed to encourage them to study science, math, and technology. They work with parents and educators, and offer information on working in green technology, homework help, inspirational women, and more.
- MentorNet: a program set up to provide mentors to students of science and technology to promote diversity in the scientific field.
This is just a small list of organizations aiming to make a difference for women in science and technology. Are there any that should be on this list?
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