The number of tech jobs is growing three times faster than the number of computer science graduates coming out of American universities. Despite the increasing demand locally and nationally, women are traditionally underrepresented in the fields of computer science and engineering. Cultural mindsets, stereotypes, educational hurdles, and sexism all contribute to this national crisis. One of the missions of the Jack Baskin School of Engineering is to encourage diversity and equal opportunity—thus, the creation of the Girls in Engineering Program.
Girls in Engineering’s focus is to support and encourage young women’s involvement in science and engineering, leading to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pathways in high school and college, as well as careers in technology and engineering fields. In the Girls in Engineering Program, girls in 7th and 8th grade will experience the excitement of building their own computer-controlled creations.
Girls in Engineering is a nonresidential week-long summer session taught on the UC Santa Cruz campus for 24 young engineers from underserved communities. To encourage participation, there is no cost for the students, and transportation to the campus is provided each day. The program enables young women to imagine themselves as future computer scientists and engineers, and to explore STEM academic and career pathways. Students learn about a variety of computer science and engineering topics through fun activities. They also get the opportunity to interact with role models in science and engineering fields, teachers, and undergraduates from the university.
The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation has been a generous sponsor of the program, and the foundation has recently offered a one-to-one incentive match, up to $25,000! We need your help to keep this life-changing program going. Make a gift today to take advantage of the amazing opportunity to support Girls in Engineering—the future depends on it.
