TECH CORPS Introduces New Summer Camp for Girls

Columbus, OH, June 29, 2011 - While the technology industry has made incredible advances in recent years; drawing women into the field unfortunately, is not among them.  In 2008, women accounted for 57% of the U.S. workforce yet only 25% of technology-related occupations were held by women.

There is compelling evidence to show that innovative approaches such as greater hands-on access to computers and technology tools benefit girls' ability to succeed.  A recent survey conducted by the National Center for Women and Information Technology found that nearly half of current technology professionals indicated they participated in an informal technology-related educational program as a child.

TECH CORPS believes to ensure a technologically literate, diverse workforce tomorrow; we must take a holistic approach to growing, nurturing, and supporting our students today.

Thanks to the support of the Ingram White Castle Foundation and Information Control Corporation, TECH CORPS has developed a new program to encourage and support girls’ aspirations in computing.

TECHie Camp: Girl Power is a 14-day camp for rising 3rd-5th grade girls living in Franklin County.  Girls will take a “deep dive” into subject matter focused on Programming and Robotics.

“Through this camp we seek to elevate girls' confidence with STEM-related concepts and skills in a safe and supportive environment; expose them to tech-savvy women; and increase their awareness of STEM-related educational and career pathways,” said Lisa M. Chambers, National Director and State Director of TECH CORPS.

Up to 20 girls living in Franklin County will be accepted into the TECHie Camp Girl Power program based on a combination of the following: student essay, letter of recommendation, and residency.

Applications can be downloaded from TECH CORPS website:  http://techcorps.org/techie-camp/girl-power  or by calling the TECH CORPS office at 614.583.9211.  The application deadline is Friday, July 15, 2011

- TECH CORPS was founded in 1995 by Gary Beach, Publisher Emeritus of CIO Magazine.  Beach envisioned an organization which would challenge American volunteers to help K-12 schools build a technology infrastructure -- much like the Peace Corps challenges men and women to help developing countries build their infrastructures.  Building from a state pilot in Massachusetts, TECH CORPS developed engaging technology programs and deployed tech-savvy volunteers to assist K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations across the country.  Since its inception, over 10,000 TECH CORPS volunteers have shared their time and talents with K-12 students and schools delivering in-person technology support and programming. For more information about TECH CORPS visit www.techcorps.org or www.techcorpsohio.org