Pass-It-On Grants Program: April 2008 Systers Pass-It-On Grants Award Winners
Dina Almurda
Project Title:
Integrating Technology into the California Science Curriculum
Project Description:
The project is about integrating computers/technology into the California Science Curriculum. It is targeted at elementary science teachers. The project is in the form of a Tech Science Handbook to aid teachers in acquiring new information and mastering new computer literacy skills. This Tech Science Handbook will include a brief description of the main computer components, advantages of computer situations, planning projects, scheduling computer time, and curriculum integration lessons. The science lesson plans will be addressed to female teachers and women interested in learning about technology in schools.
Cornelia Boldyreff
Project Title:
WSET Newsletter: Producing it for ourselves
Project Description: Cornelia formed a Women in Computing group at University of Lincoln and successfully obtained funding from the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science Engineering and Technology(SET) under their “SET for Work” scheme to fund the development of cross year mentoring. They are in the process of making the WSET group self-supporting through a variety of fundraising activities. They are also in the process of producing their own newsletter rather than having it produced professionally, to lower the cost. The advantages of producing the newsletter by WSET members themselves will be increasing their sense of ownership, providing a great experience, building community spirit, and a sense of achievement. The grant will be used to ensure the WSET newsletter’s continuation as Cordelia, assisted by post-graduate students, trains students in bringing its production in-house.
Gayatri Burgohain
Project Title:
To purchase a laptop for work towards empowering women through technology
Project Description:
Gayatri is starting Feminist Approach to Technology (FAT), a not-for-profit organization that intends to empower women through technology. The organization aims at increasing women’s awareness, interest and participation in technology in order to decrease the gender divide in technology usage and to increase women’s participation in the technical workforce and in policy making. The grant will be used to purchase a laptop that she can carry with her as she travels in her work. In the most remote rural areas of India, where there are no computers or electricity, she can use the laptop to show women what computers are and how they work. Once FAT gets more funding to purchase its own laptops, she intends to donate this laptop to a girl student studying computing who needs help in buying a computer.
Oreoluwa Somolu
Project Title:
The W.TEC Girls’ Technology Camp
Project Description:
The W.TEC Girls’ Technology Camp is an initiative of the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) aimed at bridging the technology gap between boys and girls earlier in their career path. The camp is designed to encourage young women to choose a career path in information and communication technology (ICT) or to develop more interest in using and/or managing ICTs. The technology camp will equip 15 Nigerian female students with a solid foundation in computer technology, a variety of computer skills, knowledge of other ICTs and a strong interest in advancing the study at the tertiary level. The camp will utilize a hands-on approach where the girls will learn by doing. They will be able to learn exciting things to gear their interest towards either studying a technology-related course or becoming involved in using or developing for another aspect of ICT. This will make them especially relevant in our world where technology has become an increasingly indispensable tool.