This is the 2nd of a two part post on kids learning coding and STEM careers, aimed at young students. American culture continues to cling to antiquated notions concerning gender appropriate interests for young students. Times are changing! Barack Obama launched a program in February 2013 to assist educators in getting more girls interested in STEM careers. Half the population is underrepresented in those fields and we need to engage them.
If your young daughter (or son) shows some interest in any of these fields and you aren't technical yourself, avail yourself of the resources in this "techie town" of Madison. Early exposure can generate a spark of interest for careers that are in demand!
- Wisconsin women lag behind the men in STEM at advanced levels. Young girls are slower to adopt to STEM related careers than their young male peers.
- Kids are influenced by what career resources they have growing up. If parents work in the STEM industries, you are aware of the glaring need for this type of talent in the workforce. You might also have greater exposure to this kind of study through the books you read and the activities you pursue.
- I had no exposure to tech myself in school or college but married a techie. I was drawn to it from a recruiting angle and slowly immersed myself in this field. As a result, we began an IT staffing firm in Boulder CO for 7 years and established a recruiting business here in Madison for the last 10 yrs. My daughter is pursuing a Nursing degree from Marquette University largely due to hearing the "dinner stories" about career demand in STEM from her Mom!
- Engineering Tomorrow Careers Summer Camp is a weeklong camp organized by two professors from UW Madison Society of Women Engineers. The camp matches 80 high school girls together with professors from the College of Engineering and STEM related company reps who discuss their experience.
- UW Whitewater Cybergilz Tech Camp is a FREE day camp for middle schoolers. The camp gives girls the ability to see what "IT" actually is and and understand all the great career options through one hour discussions. Kennedy Heights Girls Inc Operations SMART program operates after school programs for girls with a focus on lower and middle income girls and tackling a different area of STEM.
- Sector 67 in Madison is a hackerspace open to anyone. They run free tours every Friday afternoon and offer classes and workshops to both kids and adults. They are offering some unique camps in October. One is entitled, "Fractal Kids Class-Minecraft Computer Game for 6-12 year old kids".
If your young daughter (or son) shows some interest in any of these fields and you aren't technical yourself, avail yourself of the resources in this "techie town" of Madison. Early exposure can generate a spark of interest for careers that are in demand!
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