University of Florida CISE Department Female Recruitment Workshop July 18th through 21st, 2005

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University of FloridaCISE Department Female
Recruitment WorkshopJuly 18th through 21st, 2005

• IAB Presentation
• September 29th, 2005
• Rory J. De Simone

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Purpose

• In addition to increasing the number of young
  women involved in this years workshop, we
  provided a forum for addressing the missing
  ingredients needed to attracting and retaining
  young women to CISE.
• Future paper will published addressing these
  issues.

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FACTS

• its 2005, almost 2006, and
• Dependence on technology is intensifying
• Technology will require a larger skilled
  workforce
• A shortage of skilled technology workers is
  expected in the very near future

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• In the late 1990s, women earned considerably
  less than half of the bachelors degrees in
  traditionally male-dominated fields.
• That number has increased considerably overall.
  
• Interestingly, the lowest percentage of
  technically skilled women is in the area of
  computer and information sciences. (N.B. This
  number is continuing to shrink.)

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Statistics

• Women in Computer Science Engineering Ratio 2005
• at UF
• Undergrad 12.3
• Graduate 16.7
• Department 13.6
• WHY SO LOW and getting lower?
• Low interest in Computer Science due to a
  conspicuous LACK of encouragement, mentoring,
  support , and treatment.
• National Stats Women now make up 56 of the
  national college student body this number
  continues to rise. Within ten years, three
  million more women than men could be attending
  college.

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Women in Technology STILL TOO FEW!

• FACT Women currently earn a higher
  percentage of bachelors and masters
  degrees.
• BUT Women once choose fewer careers in
  technical areas, including those with
  requisite technical expertise (e.g.
  concentrations in math, computer science,
  engineering, and other sciences).
• NOTE Women are consciously going into fields
  previously dominated by men.

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News

• Between Fall, 2000 and Fall, 2004, the number of
  incoming students desiring a CSE major dropped by
  60 and is now 70 lower than it was in the early
  1980s.
• For women, this decrease is far more dramatic.
  The amount of women seeking majors in computer
  science and engineering has dropped by 80
  between 1998 and 2004, and is now 93 lower than
  it was in 1982.

Research Institute at the University of
California at Los Angeles
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News continued

• The downward spiral is apparent in our own
  department. The enrollment decline since 2000 is
  -44.2.
• The Domestic enrollment over the same period has
  dropped by 50.
• The enrollment of women in our department has
  fallen to 12.3

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WE KNOW THAT

• Computers Science is pervasive it impacts not
  only every aspect of our lives. Due to its
  diverse applications many academic majors now
  require selective computer knowledge.
• This pervasiveness has resulted in many women
  choosing computer intense majors that use
  technology but do not require the same depth as
  computer engineering.

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• This explains the shrinking retention numbers and
  for the first time, puts in perspective the fact
  that this trend does not occur in various other
  fields, such as biology, the physical sciences
  and other engineering disciplines -where the
  representation of women continues to rise.
• We know we need a new generation of computer
  science engineers which reflects the vast
  potential and rich diversity of industry where
  womens ideas, creativity, perspectives and
  influence are needed.
• Industry must also do its part to encourage women
  that they are wanted and needed.

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OBJECTIVES

• Inspire and increase awareness and interest in
  computer science among young women.
• Educate these students about the vast
  opportunities available and obtainable in this
  field.
• Thoroughly establish the significance of the need
  for young women in defining the future of
  technology.
• Encourage and inspire young women to be
  innovators and visionaries.

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More Objectives

• Dispel the societal stigma regarding the talents
  and competence of women in the fields of science
  and technology.
• Inspire female students to consider and
  investigate computer science as a major at a
  younger age.
• Enlighten young women to the facts that there is
  a need for their ideas, influence, perspective,
  and presence within this industry.
• Motivate these students to explore the varied
  courses, majors, and degrees in the CISE
  department
• Encourage these young women to investigate the
  diverse career choices available to them as
  graduates.
• Support and foster major decision after entering
  the CISE department.

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The Program

• A diverse group of 40 female high school students
  from the surrounding area joined together for
  four days of workshops and activities to build
  computer skills.
• Young high school women personally applied or
  were nominated by their guidance counselors,
  teachers, and other administrators.
• Potential attendees were invited to submit an
  application but were required to enclose a brief
  essay explaining their interest in computer
  science.

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Program continued

• This four-day non-residential camp will offer
• Hands-on classes
• Lectures and presentations
• Small group activities
• A field trip to UF Smart House
• A day trip to DisneyQuest Behind the Scenes
• Also included were cool projects, competitions,
  games, speakers, food, and fun.
• The workshop also emphasized positive female
  role-models and career opportunities.

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Program continued

• This was an enrichment workshop of computer
  instruction with
• problem solving digital challenges
• puzzles - graphics
• programming - simulations
• lab competitions web design

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• All activities were designed to stimulate and
  reinforce enthusiasm for learning about computer
  engineering.

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More

• Students had an opportunity to meet and interact
  with CISE faculty, IAB professionals, and current
  students.
• Students received a departing basket of goodies
  which were donated by several members of the IAB
  board.
• The daily Sessions began at 9am and end at
  430pm. Lunch were included as well as snacks.

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Workshop in brief

• Classes explored
• - problem-solving projects
• -build and programmed robots
• - web page design
• - game creation and brain teasers
• - programming
• introduction to different languages
• Teach
• ALICE
• HTML
• MAYA
• Visual Basic
• - graphic design
• - applications
• - binary competition

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Workshop in summary contd.

• Discussed
• - The pros and diversity of careers in computer
  science
• - Presentations by various female computer
  science engineers
• - Students graduate undergraduate classes
  interests - potential
• - Faculty discuss courses, research, and
  Why women are needed.
• - Professionals visionary women in industry
  or research.

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Workshop in summary contd.

• Field trips
• - UF Smart House
• - DisneyQuests Technological Behind the
  Scenes Tour.

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The Cost

• FREE!
• This workshop is free of charge but required a
  25.00 registration and placement fee to insure
  attendance.

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Who Attended????

• A total of forty young women from area high
  schools attended the 2005 enrichment workshop.
  This highly diverse group came from area high
  schools, such as Eastside High School
  (specifically, Eastside Highs IB program),
  Gainesville High School, and Buchholz High
  School. Also attending were three young women who
  drove more than 50 miles daily.

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MEET THE GIRLS
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THE PLAN for 06

• We intend to
• Explore recent computer science endeavors
• Introduce new and exciting concepts
• Integrate successful elements from this workshop
• Create an entertaining, educational experience
  for these young women.
• Develop an Advisory Council to assist the present
  female students.
• Create a Mentoring Program which will include
  female engineers from industry.

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Possibilites

• Kendra
• Diana
• Visit Lockheed Martin in Orlando
• Smart Home
• Digital World Institute
• The NAVE
• Visit local Software Company
• Surf Lab
• DisneyQuest or Disney World

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Conclusion THE CHALLENGE

• Duplicate the success of the 2005 workshop.
• Increase the number of participants
• Create a second tier program for returning
  students.
• Collect the needed Funds through very generous
  donations contributed from the corporations that
  make up the IAB.

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Some Shots
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• Thank you!
• The End