| Girls Get IT! Newsletter |
Volume I Issue
VIII
July 2007 |
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| Explore ~
Educate ~
Empower |
School-Business Partnerships Target STEM
Projects
Students in Mesa, Arizona began learning math
through flight simulators, aeronautics, and even mock space-shuttle
missions. The programs stem from a partnership between the
school district and the Boeing Co., which has a plant in Mesa that
builds the U.S. Army's Apache helicopter.
 Using this curriculum is a great way to show
students the importance of science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) classes, and show kids the kinds of careers that
might be the best fit for them in the future. The goal of this
program is to help students feel comfortable and encourage them to
enter the math-science realm.
School-business partnerships can also help our looming
workforce crisis. If more businesses follow the lead of companies
like Boeing, we could educate our future workforce in our own
country, rather than demand that lawmakers in Washington expand the
federal HB 1 visa program which allows businesses to temporarily
hire skilled workers from abroad to do the work that they can't
complete because they don't have Americans in the field.
In the past, many corporate giants have pushed
advancement in STEM related subjects for students, but these ideas
never reached the middle and small sized companies. However, today
more business including Bayer Corporation based out of Pittsburgh
and an accounting firm named Ernst & Young LLP from New York
have recently released reports outlining best practices in K-12
education and successful business partnerships with schools.
Achieve, a Washington-based non-profit organization
formed by governors and business leaders that focus on
standards-based school reform, has produced a website that promotes
college and work readiness, competency in STEM disciplines, and
data-driven education. The goal of the site is to make sure the
United States has enough graduates that are college or work ready,
who studied the STEM disciplines. The site is supported by
business-oriented organizations based in Washington. These include
the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These
companies feature case studies of school partnerships by large
companies. One important thing to remember is there are businesses
all over the U.S. that are supporting and participating in these
types of school-business partnerships. For example, in Sacramento
California, the Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Los Rios
Community College System, Sacramento's workforce board, and five
local hospitals to help create a public high school focused on
health fields.
With companies all over the U.S. supporting the
school-business partnerships, this will encourage and push STEM
related education and possible careers for our next generation of
future employees and employers. To learn more about how to get
involved Click
here!
Call to Florida Businesses - If you are interested in
collaborating with Girls Get IT or one of our partners to further
STEM education in Florida, we are anxious to hear from you. Please contact, Leah Cook
at LCook@distancelearn.org.
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Buy Your Own iPhone
Today!! |
Say Hello To
iPhone!
During the
iPhone's debut weekend June 29th , people from all  over the country waited
hours in line at Apple and AT&T stores in hopes to be one of the
first owners of the coveted "smart phone." Over 500,000 were sold
within the first day alone!
Love it or leave it, never in the 30+ years of cell phone
history has one wireless device caused such a media frenzy. This
innovative piece of technology is mesmerizing to many, but others
just look at it as a $600 paperweight. According to the industry, on
average, Americans spend $100 or less on a cell phone, so the iPhone
better have some pretty impressive features to get consumers to
spend 6 times that amount.
Here's what we agree are the coolest features: It's a
phone, music-player, movie-player, internet browser, and iPod in
one. It is Apple's first iPod that can not only play music through
headphones, but through speakers as well. Whether you're flipping
through your songs or browsing the web, you can hold your iPhone
vertically or horizontally and the screen will automatically adjust
with it! The iPhone has its own internet service, Edge, as well as
the ability to pick up Wi-Fi wherever you are. Also, the photo
quality on the camera is pretty fantastic. It also features
satellite pictures of the earth and you can literally zoom all the
way from the earth right to your home. Can you even imagine what the
next version of iPhone will offer us?
So what possibly can keep consumers from purchasing this
product besides the hefty price tag? Well for one, only one wireless
carrier, AT&T currently sells iPhone; and they will be the
exclusive carrier for the next 5 years. Although the phone has
internet service, some users are agitated that it runs slowly,
according to several internet polls. Another thing to keep in mind,
as with most " new " technology, the iPhone is also in its 1st
generation, so until Apple works out the kinks, some consumers are
still a little weary to purchase.
Overall, you can't beat the iPhone
technology as of now. We think it's pretty fantastic. So go check it
out yourself and see what you think! For a list of Apple Stores near
you, Click here!
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Microsoft Surface - The Future is
(almost) Here
Microsoft has just introduced to the world their new
touch-screen computer coffee table called Surface. Microsoft's Surface will allow users to
place physical objects such as digital cameras, cell phones, and
credit cards on the actual surface of the computer and all of the
information will instantly transfer to the computer screen for you
to see and use!
This is the next generation of hands-on interface that
will modernize the way we share pictures, pay bills, shop online,
and even decorate a room in our home. As of now, the Surface computers are only
available to commercial businesses.
Several
businesses are already planning to use this revolutionary
product. For example,
Harrah's Entertainment in Las Vegas will be using the computers in
their casinos for gaming and payment while Starwood Hotels &
Resorts will have do-it-yourself check-in, and T-Mobile will be
using the Surface
technology in their retail stores for customers to compare cell
phones!
In about 3 years, Microsoft hopes to have Surface available for use
with the general public in their homes. Digital pictures, e-mail,
online shopping are just a few of the everyday things we do that Surface will make easier and
a whole lot more exciting!
Check out the website for video demonstrations. To
find out more about how Surface will change the world Click
here! |
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To
visit GGIT! please click
here | |
SLOOH- The New Way To Explore Outer
Space!
Gathered atop Mount
Teide, off the coast of Africa, there is a powerful cluster of
telescopes and Charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras that allow access
to our ever-changing universe. SLOOH
is a new remote-astronomy service for observers of all ages and
levels of experience to be able to explore the unknown world of
outer space using their computer. SLOOH allows you to view the
cosmos in real-time while actual observation missions are going on.
There is even a Live SkyGuide which will allow you to
hear renowned experts describe the mission's target.
The only requirements are that you have a computer
with a 56K+ Internet connection and a browser with Adobe Flash 8+.
Click
here! |
 If you would like to
forward this newsletter to other potential readers Click
Here! |
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NetSpace Challenge is
OPEN!!!
The NetSpace Challenge, which is also known as the
Cisco Networking Academy Tournament, is now open! Whether you're a
teacher, student, or just someone interested in technology, this
game is definitely for you!
It's
a way to network with other people who are interested in technology
or just relax and play a game. The NetSpace
Challenge tests your knowledge about Networking and Information
Technology (IT). The complexity of the questions makes this game
advanced for those who aren't familiar with these subjects. However,
if you're a techie, you'll have a blast.
Gamers
will compete against participants from all over the world and expand
their skills and capabilities within this sector of the business
world. Each of the
questions are set up as multiple choice questions. Points are
gathered throughout the entire game by answering questions
correctly. High scores will allow your name to appear on the leader
board.
Registration is easy and free, so
sign up today! Click
here!! |
Google Is Helping Nonprofits Raise Awareness, Money,
Volunteers with Their Mapping Software
Google, Inc. recently
launched an initiative to help charities and other nonprofit groups
use maps and satellite images to raise awareness, recruit volunteers
and encourage donations.
The Google Earth Outreach Program represents a
formalization of several partnerships with organizations using free
software to publicize their works.
What a way to get the word out!! Hundreds of millions of
people use Google Earth to explore the world around them. We even use the word Google as a verb in every
day conversations. "Why don't you just Google
it?" With the Google Earth
Outreach program, your organization can get your cause out in front of the
masses. You can share the knowledge and resources you
need to reach their minds and their hearts.
By downloading your KML
files, anyone, anywhere can fly in Google Earth from where
they live to where you do your work. This virtual visit to the
projects and people you support gets users engaged and passionate
about what you're doing and builds support for your cause.
To visit Google Earth, Click
Here! | |
Girls Get IT! Focus Group Meetings
We want to hear from you!
The purpose of our focus group meetings is to discuss
issues regarding young women and their interests in science and math
courses and to provide us practical suggestions on how we
can best help teachers, students and parents most effectively
with STEM in the classroom and at home.
During these specific group meetings we will
discuss:
- Champions Board Development
- Teacher Outreach Program and
Resource CD
- Computer Mania Day
- GGIT Mentoring Program &
Clubs
- Next Steps with the Florida Math
and Science Research Center
Your input will help us set our priorities and offer you a
better selection of products and services to young women interested
in STEM - science, technology, engineering and math.
Our conference call will take
place:
August 22, 2007
3:30-4:30pm
Toll Free Conference Call:
1.877.384.0543
Participant code: 62344136
Girls Get IT!
encourages you to share your thoughts, feelings and attitudes on all
related topics! If you will not be able to participate on the call
or session on line, you can still have your voice heard.
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Girls Get IT,
Florida STEM Program Directory- Register your Program Today!
The online Program Directory lists organizations
and programs that focus on motivating girls to pursue STEM education
and careers. The purpose of the directory is to help organizations
and individuals network, share resources and collaborate on
STEM-related projects for girls. When you sign up for the Program
Directory you will enter your program description, resources
available within your organization, program and/or organizational
needs and contact information. Sign your organization up
today: Click here!
Having your program listed in the Directory
has several advantages:
1. Anyone with internet access can
find out about your program.
2. You can view other programs in
your area and across the state.
3. Your organization can do
a search and compare needs and resources in your area and
across the state.
4. Your organization is
eligible for a mini grant from Girls Get IT! for innovative
projects.
Don't wait - Sign up
today! Here's
How:
Use the
following instructions to create a new user account and then enter a
program's information into the NGCP program
directory.
§
Navigate to the National Girls Collaborative Project site at
http://www.pugetsoundcenter.org/ngcp/
§ In
the horizontal linkbar, click
"Directory"
§ From
the left navigation area, click "Login" then "Register New
User"
§ Fill
out the form and click "Submit" -- this logs you
in
§ On
the page that appears, click "New
Program"
§ Fill
out the form and click "Submit" -- this places your program in
"pending" status
Once a new
program's information has been submitted, an administrator will
review and approve the program (or request more information about
the program, then approve the program once the information has been
provided).
When
approved, Programs appear in the public Directory for anyone to
search. What better way to highlight the great work in STEM
that you are doing in your
community!
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What is
Girls Get IT?
Florida Girls Get IT is a
partnership between Florida Distance Learning Consortium, Cisco
Systems, Inc., Florida's Community College and University
system to create gender equity in the areas of Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) & Information Technology
(IT).
Why does Florida need this
initiative?
To remain competitive,
Florida must offer a highly trained workforce. Nearly 75% of future
jobs in the United States will require the use of technology, yet
fewer than 33% of students in computer courses are female and women
comprise only 20% of IT professionals and 13% of
engineers.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Contact: Leah Cook,
Project Director
Phone:
850.922.3359
Fax: 850.922.3109
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Useful Links for Students and
Teachers
Teachers:
Discovery
School
This site is a perfect tool to help teachers with
lesson plans, and even give them new and creative ideas to teach
their students. Click
Here!!
Need
help with lesson planning, technology integration and professional
development? This is the site for
you. Click
Here!!
Students:
Zoey's
Room
An online
community for middle school girls, which encourages creativity
through science, technology, engineering and math! Click
Here!!
This awesome website,
geared toward high school students, helps you find, explore, and
network any cause you have a passion for and offers ways for you to
get involved. Click
Here!! |
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