Gender Equal Access in Technology--For Girls by Girls
The female instructor at Felix Varela High School, Miami, FL believes that if gender activities are going to have maximum impact on girls they should be designed, developed and implemented by girls.
Their recruitment activity was designed to educate everyone in the school from other male and female students to guidance counselors, staff and other teachers. They chose a school assembly to deliver their message. The instructor created a team of female students from her Cisco semesters 2 and 3. Under her supervision, the team of girls planned the agenda, researched statistics on female participation in technology, created a Power Point presentation, prepared categories and questions for technology panelists, and selected students (male and female) for participation on the panel. They paid attention to all details. They created name tents for the panelists and developed an evaluation form for the event.
The event was attended by approximately 150 students, faculty and counselors. After the welcome from the school Principal and the District Technology Director, the students co-presented with the Cisco Digital Opportunities Manager.
Following the I am an Engineer video, two members of the team moderated discussion with a panel of six women and two men. The panel included such distinguished members as the Miami-Dade County Schools Technology Director, a Cisco Systems Regional Sales Manager, a Cisco Channel Engineer and, of course, their instructor. The panel addressed questions about necessary education and skills, career opportunities and workforce culture. Evaluations documented the success of the event.