Last month, a group of high school girls gathered in Charlotte, N.C., to attend “DigiGirlz,” a Microsoft program designed to make once male-dominated STEM fields seem less daunting. Microsoft’s DigiGirlz camps, scattered in various locations across the country, aim to combat entrenched stereotypes about the role of women in technology.
The camp kicked off on July 18 with a pep talk from local politicians, Senator Kay Hagan, D-N.C., among them. Participating students, girls in grades 6 through 11, learned about the benefits of careers in technology and about local educational programs in Charlotte.
Later in the day, the girls took an Internet safety course, where they learned how to pre-emptively ward off unwanted intruders on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.
The rest of the week was devoted to basic programming courses, Microsoft Office workshops, and even a self-defense course from local martial arts instructors.
Keami Lewis, a senior manager for Development & Outreach, Global Diversity and Inclusion for Microsoft, says that DigiGirlz tries to stay connected to students even after the program ends.
Microsoft makes curriculum recommendations to local colleges and high schools and offers internships for girls who participate.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for girls and women in particular since statistically they represent such a small percentage of those who are involved in the field,” Lewis says. “So there’s a growing opportunity for women and girls to impact those numbers and build a lucrative career in technology.”
