OmniTI’s Kelly Anne Johnson and Payal Singh are working to inspire the members of the Computer Mania for Girls at Fulton Elementary School today. They’ll be talking to third, fourth and fifth grade girls about their careers in tech and why STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) knowledge is important.
According the the organization’s website, “Women currently hold only 25% of IT jobs and, out of every 25 engineers in this country, only three of them are women. In middle school, 74% of girls express an interest in a STEM-related field, however less than 1% of girls taking the SATs indicates studying computer science in college. Girls will be at a huge disadvantage unless they are exposed and encouraged to consider a STEM field.” The Club’s goals are to create a sustainable after school program that educates and inspires young girls to pursue computer related activities, courses, and careers; show girls that computer science is cool and not to be feared since technology is the underpinning of most products and industries; and, expose girls to women in STEM related studies and careers.
In 2011 the Maryland State Department of Education staff specialists joined with stakeholders from across the state to define STEM education and develop STEM Standards of Practice. Maryland’s vision is to be a leader in STEM education, preparing and inspiring generations of learners to meet the challenges of the global society through innovation, collaboration and creative problem solving.
OmniTI is happy to aid in this effort. Kelly Anne and Payal will be presenting, “Payal and Kelly Anne’s Great Cupcake Vote: The making of a web app.” Through the web page (app) they created, they will explain their roles as UI Designer and Programmer in creating the app.
We hope the girls will come away knowing that web projects are collaborative, that there are many skills that go into creating a good application and. . .it’s a blast!
~ Kelly Anne Johnson
Read more about the Computer Mania Club for Girls and see how you can get involved.