PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to computers and
technology should we just let boys be boys and girls be girls? The Girl
Scouts answer with an emphatic "No!" In a recent research study that
challenges the myths of gender and technology, Girl Scout researchers conclude
that girls need a place to make technology their own. More than 500 regional
Girl Scouts are saying "yes" to technology on Saturday, November 23, as they
gather for day-long programs exploring technology careers and topics as far-
reaching as robotics, animation and computer repair.
The program, "Digital Divas," is the launch of a regional Girl Scout
technology initiative for the tri-state area, which addresses the concern that
girls are not getting the technology skills they need to succeed in school and
in the workplace as adults. Locally, the Digital Divas program will take
place at the University of Pennsylvania, where more than 150 girls from the
Southeastern Pennsylvania and Freedom Valley Girl Scout councils will learn
about web design, cybersonics, Visual Basic, as well as technology careers,
robotics, animation and virtual makeovers. The program will take place from
9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Meyerson Hall and Sansom Place PC Labs on the Penn
campus.
Digital Divas will also include a web cam link up to other Girl Scouts
participating in the program at the same time in Salisbury, Md., and in Camden
and Mt. Laurel, N.J.
Digital Divas is the result of a collaboration with Girl Scout councils
serving 65,000 girls throughout the region: Southeastern Pennsylvania, Freedom
Valley (Pa.), Chesapeake Bay (Del., and Md.), Camden County (N.J.) and South
Jersey Pines (N.J.), and responds to findings from two national Girl Scout
studies released this year: "The Net Effect: Girls and the New Media" and "The
Girl Difference: Short-Circuiting the Myth of the Technophobic Girl."
The "Girl Difference" summarizes current research on how girls interact
with computer technology and how they view themselves in the overall
technology culture and uncovers some qualitative gaps. Although girls and
boys access the Internet at equal rates, girls are using the technology for
purposes of communication and education (e-mail, chat rooms, accessing
information) and boys are pursuing entertainment and recreation (playing
games). Although this may sound like a positive outcome, this is not
translating into equal academic and economic pursuits in technology for women
and men.
According to the research, "even girls with strong skills in math,
science, and technology do not pursue careers in those areas. This may occur
because they do not have women to mentor them in the field and because they
find the male-defined environments stylistically unaccommodating to women."
In addition, those women who do enter technology-related fields are not paid
on par with men.
Throughout its 90-year history, the Girl Scouts has remained steadfast to
meeting the needs of today's girls and tomorrow's women. Concerns about
technology and girls is no exception.
"Girl Scouts are responding to the findings in the research," said
Sharon A. Smith, CEO/Executive Director, Girl Scouts of Southeastern
Pennsylvania. "Through providing more technology programs throughout the Girl
Scout year, and during summer camp program, we hope to provide an environment
where girls can discover the unique skills and interests they can bring to the
culture of technology and through their own interaction with all the exciting
possibilities, they can close the technology gap," Smith added.
SOURCE Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania
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Related links:
http://www.gssp.org
CONTACT:
Carol A. Harris, Director of Public
Relations, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania,
+1-215-564-4657, Ext. 231, or Pager, +1-215-810-0343, or
charris@gssp.org
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