What do 30 young girls, spaghetti, and a computer have in common? Well to one company, it means everything. Recognizing the increasing gender gap within the high-tech industry, IBM has teamed with Brown Middle School to host its annual day camp to generate interest in math, science and technology for girls.
"We know that once girls get to middle school they are less likely to take the math and science courses that will enable them to pursue engineering and technical degrees when they go to college," said Ann Cramer, director of IBM Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs.
The IBM EXITE camp (EXploring Interest in Technology and Engineering), established in 1999, is an annual week-long camp that offers middle school girls the opportunity to explore careers in technology, math and science through hands-on activities, thrilling fieldtrips and fun-filled workshops.
"When I tell people that I see myself doing something with computers or animation, they look really surprised," said Thea Hall, of North Atlanta High School. Hall is not like many other fourteen year old - she knows what she wants to be when she grows up.
Hall, like 3,000 other girls across the world, participated in the camp. Hall admits that before she attended the camp her interest in math, science and technology was minimal.
"Now, computer science is probably the career field in which I'm most interested," she continued. "I like knowing that I'm open to all sorts of possibilities," Hall continued.
"By providing professional female role models and hands-on experience in technology, the students see the difference that technology makes in our world and understands how rewarding engineering and technology careers can be," said Yolanda Traylor, EXITE camp volunteer and IBM employee.
IBM volunteers of the EXITE camp will not only volunteer their workday, they will volunteer their knowledge for an entire year, as well. Through the IBM On Demand Community volunteer initiative, IBMers can tutor students in math and science, as well as, offer words of encouragement year-round.
Traylor joins fellow IBMer Lisa Haygood, project manager of the camp, to volunteer in a quest to motivate young girls- introducing them to additional IBM youth programs, such as TryScience.org, an award-winning web site designed to make learning science more fun for kids.
"There is a large gap in the amount of women in these fields," Haygood said. "It is our responsibility as engineers, mathematicians and even scientist to change that."
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