| Girls Get IT! Newsletter |
Volume II Issue VIII
March 2008 |
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| Explore ~ Educate ~ Empower |
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13th Annual Florida Children's Week is Full of Activities
The 13th annual Florida Children's Week
officially begins March 30th! This year, more than 70 statewide
partners and corporations which include: Comcast, Clear Channel,
Nemours, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Publix Supermarkets,
Inc., Salter Mitchell, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida,
and many others, are teaming up to host events and activities to
promote the health, safety and well-being of children and families
across the Sunshine State.
The following activities are taking place:
- The "Capital Steps for Kids" program
presented by Nemours is giving away 20,000 pedometers to Children's
Week local event coordinators to organize walks and promote healthy and
active lifestyles.
- Children
throughout Florida are coloring and designing more than 100,000 paper
cut-outs of their hands. Hundreds of volunteers from across the state
will arrive at the Capitol to help with the traditional "Hanging of the Hands" in the Rotunda at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 30th.
- The "Children's Capital for a Day" is
scheduled for Tuesday, April 1st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the State
Capitol. The day includes free walking tours of the Capitol, hands-on
educational activities for children, and legislators reading and
distributing books to children.
- Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp and the Children and Youth Cabinet will host a "Kids Only" Town Hall meeting on
April 1st from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cabinet Meeting Room, lower
level of the Capitol. The meeting will feature teens posing questions
to members of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet.
- Community
advocates in all 67 counties are contacting local government leaders to
sign resolutions and hold press conferences to proclaim April 6, 2008
as "Parents and Children's Day", encouraging parents
and children to spend quality time together and participate in fun,
healthy and educational activities in their communities.
All activities are free and open to the public.
For additional information and a listing of local events in communities across Florida, Click Here!
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Girls Get IT! Wins Three Marketing & Advertising Awards
The Girls Get IT! promotional materials debuted with a bang, scooping up three ADDY Awards this month. Next,
we will compete in the regional competition and if we win, we will
be eligible to compete in the national/international competition held
this June. Hosted by the American Advertising Federation, the ADDY
Awards are the world's largest advertising competition, recognizing
outstanding work in the communications and marketing fields. Entries
are judged by advertising professionals, and awards are given to those
who surpass the high standards of the industry.
The Girls Get IT! materials, made in collaboration with Ron Sachs Communications, a
statewide communications firm, received three awards. Only 26 Gold
ADDYs were awarded and the Girls Get IT! materials received two. In the
category of Collateral Material, the Girls Get IT! identity package and
the new Girls Get IT! poster received Gold Awards. The Girls Get IT!
logo received a Silver Award. To view our award-winning poster, Click Here!
This
contest was the first step on the way to the national/international
awards. As Gold Award winners, the Girls Get IT! materials will go up
against other Gold recipients in the southeast. The winners of the
district will go on to compete at the national/international ADDY
Awards competition in June. For more information about the ADDY Awards,
please Click Here!
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Many Florida Schools are Going Green!
 Schools
systems are now realizing the benefits of going green. Going green
saves energy and has also improved student health and achievement.
Between 2001 and 2006, thirty environmental friendly schools were built
across the nation. Although the initial costs of the building were more
expensive, the financial benefits were 20 times greater than that
cost-on average schools saved $100,000 each year.
Green
school classrooms were built to take advantage of natural light, each
having exterior facing walls that could make use of the clerestories
(high windows) and skylights. Windows on the south and west of the
buildings were lightly tinted to moderate the heat from the sunlight,
and roof windows face north to allow the natural light to enter. With
these techniques Green schools used 33% less energy.
A geothermal heating and cooling system (renewable energy sources from
within the earth), and dual flush toilets (options on the amount of
water needed to flush) helped schools use 32% less water than traditional schools.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has set three levels (gold,
silver, bronze) for a building to achieve a Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design Certificate (LEED). These levels depend on how
green the school has gone. Currently 55 schools have the certificate
and 370 schools nationwide are waiting for approval.
"Green
Teams" are also taking over the schools. These are groups where the
older students teach the incoming students about their school's green
design and how it works to help the environment. This exposure at a
young age will foster a process of continuous learning about the
importance of saving energy, recycling and being environmentally
friendly. Green schools work outside the text book by living out the
curriculum. Unexpected benefits in the green schools are a boost in
students' achievement and improved test scores, due to the more
comfortable learning environment, natural light and healthier air
cycles.
Leon
county schools are taking measures to acknowledge the green movement in
schools. Every public school has a recycling coordinator and
representatives. They form Tallahassee's own "green team" to encourage
students to recycle in school. By having less trash, it will save
money, which can be used to fund other areas in the schools. Leon
County hopes to receive a grant that will fulfill their goal to put a
recycling bin in every classroom. For more information on Leon County
going green, Click Here!
There
are high hopes that in the next decade more schools will turn green. It
is the next big step in education. Though initial costs are high, in
the long run it will benefit financially, environmentally, and
educationally-implementing good habits to students at a young age. For
more information on green schools, Click Here!
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To visit GGIT! please click here | |
 If you would like to forward this newsletter to a friend, Click Here! |
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Girls Get IT! Has Two New Local Chapters
We
are thrilled to announce two new partners to the Girls Get IT! team-The
Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa and the Mary Brogan Museum for
Arts and Science in Tallahassee, Florida. More information about our
upcoming events, activities and opportunities for young women in both
of these locations will be announced in the near future. If
you live in either of these cities, or our original locations in
Jacksonville at the Florida Community College of Jacksonville, or in
Miami with the Miami Dade School district, please contact GGIT Project
Director, Leah Cook and we will put you in touch with our local
affiliates.
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GGIT! Website Gets a Facelift
Our
website's makeover is complete! It has been revamped and refurbished
with an all-new fun look that mirrors our outreach materials. The site is geared not only towards girls, but also includes valuable information for everyone! There are fun activities for students, resources for parents and teachers, and access to our monthly newsletter, and more! Click Here to check it out!
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Ohmwork:
Networking Homebrew
Ohmwork:
Networking Homebrew Science is a social network and pod cast developed
by Vision Education and Media (VEMNY). VEMNY is an after school program
that inspires kids to become involved with technology and multimedia.
Their mission is to enlighten students and teachers of the overwhelming
amount of possibilities in science.
The
Ohmwork social network will give kids the tools to become inventive and
post their do-it-yourself science project ideas online. The site will
also allow the collaboration of projects between peers. It hopes to
open new doors for kids by incorporating their digital learning
experience with a network for DIY science for all ages. For more
information on VEMNY and their after school programs, Click Here!
Ohmwork
was inspired by the Digital Media and Learning Competition. The
competition is initiated by HASTAC; an international network of
educators committed to the understanding of new technology; and
supported by a grant from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation. The foundation is a learning initiative created to
determine how digital technologies change the way young people learn,
socialize, play, etc.
VEMNY
was one of ten winners in the knowledge networking category at this
competition, winning $40,000 in project funding for Ohmwork. With the
help of this funding, they hope to have the website running in the near
future. For more information on the competition and previous winners, Click Here!
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Florida Girls Collaborative STEM Mini-Grants and Program Directory
Do you have a collaborative idea within  STEM
education and need some additional funds to assist you? If so,
join our team and receive up to $1,000 for your support. All
you have to do is sign up to become part of our statewide Program
Directory, and collaborate with another organization that is also
in the Program Directory. It's that easy! To sign up, follow the
short instructions below and be on your way to making connections you
never thought you would!
For a more in depth overview of our mini-grants, Click Here!
SIGN UP FOR THE FLORIDA STEM PROGRAM DIRECTORY NOW!
The
online Florida STEM Program Directory lists organizations and programs
that focus on motivating girls to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The purpose of the directory is to help organizations and individuals
network, share resources and collaborate on STEM-related projects for
girls.
Organizations
that serve young women and are interested in bringing more STEM
resources to them are also encouraged to sign up!
The
Directory contains program descriptions, resources available within
each organization, program and/or organization needs, and contact
information. What better way to promote your program, resources and find other organizations in your area to collaborate with?
Having Your Program Listed in the Directory Has Several Advantages:
- Anyone with Internet access can find out about your program.
- You can view other programs in your area and across the state.
- Your organization can do a search and compare needs and resources in your area and across the state.
- Your organization is eligible for a mini-grant 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.
- Click Here!!
- Click "Register New User" which is located on the far left.
- Fill out the form and click "Submit"
- On the next page, click "New Program"
- Fill out the form and click "Submit"
That's It! Your program will be listed and can be searched by anyone with access to the Internet. It's that easy!
Once a new program's information has been submitted and approved, it will 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!
Note: In order to be eligible for mini grant funding, your program MUST be listed in the Program Directory. Once listed, you are encouraged to submit a proposal for consideration of funding. | |
Have You Ever Heard of Robot Nurses?
In
January 2007, the European Commission began robotic designs in hopes of
finding a technological solution to eliminate the shortage of nurses. A
little over a year later they discovered the Intelligent Robot Swarm
for Attendance, Recognition, Cleaning and Delivery (IWARD). IWARD is
not meant to take the place of nurses, but to assist them in everyday
tasks, giving nurses more time to be with patients.
By
2010, researchers and scientists predict IWARD will be used in
hospitals world wide. Intelligent robots will be speeding down their
own "high speed" lanes on their way to clean, deliver food and
medicine, and interact with staff as well as visitors. The lanes will
reduce the problem of the robots being in the way of nurses and
doctors. IWARD will be giving nurses more time with patients rather
than doing menial tasks, and also ensure the wards are kept cleaner and
healthier.
This
highly intelligent robot has integrated face and voice recognition
technology, as well as the freedom to communicate amongst themselves.
Each IWARD will be mounted on a platform with a module of sensors
equipped for a variety of tasks. Face and voice recognition will give
them the ability to communicate to visitors, patients and staff. The
IWARD will welcome visitors and direct them to the patients' room. A
variety of sensors and cameras are utilized in the robot to avoid
collision and explore the hospital. IWARD will be working off of a decentralized network to coordinate tasks among themselves. For more information on the IWARD, Click Here!
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| FACTS.org Can Help Girls Get IT!
Almost
all middle school students say that they plan to finish high school and
go on to college, but many don't. Technology is changing fast, so no
one knows exactly what the work world will be like when current middle
school students join it. We do know,
however, that to prepare for the careers of tomorrow it is vital that
students challenge themselves today by taking rigorous courses and by
continuing their education beyond high school.
FACTS.org,
Florida's online advising system, can help. FACTS contains all of the
information and tools students need to discover the type of career they
want, and create a plan to make it happen. Having a goal to work
towards keeps interest and participation in school at a high level.
The
middle school years are the ideal time to start this process because
success in high school and beyond often requires taking the right
courses in middle school. Beginning with current 7th
graders, all middle school students will take a career and academic
planning course that will result in an electronic Personal Education
Plan (ePEP). This course is a requirement for promotion to high school.
The
first step is self and career exploration. Using an interest inventory,
such as CHOICES on FACTS.org, students can learn about careers related
to their interests. CHOICES contains information on hundreds of
careers, including the outlook for jobs in Florida, the salary a
student could expect to make, and the level and type of education
required.
Once
a career area is chosen a student can match this preliminary goal with
a high school Major Area of Interest (MAI).The ePEP allows the student
to plan their courses for each year of high school, including MAI
courses. The planner provides personalized guidance to students based
on their goals, such as going to college or completing a career tech
program. It also tracks and displays how many rigorous courses have
been planned, encouraging students to take as many as possible.
Christy Jordan, a counselor at Lake Gibson Middle School has started using the ePEP with her students and says, "The
students are responding so positively to it. I just had a parent
come by to see me and his son wanted me to bring up his ePEP and show
his Dad what he was doing and how he was planning for graduation.
He felt so empowered to plan for his success and reach his goals
and explore different careers."
Once
in high school, transcript information and test scores appear on the
planner and personalized evaluations track progress toward high school
graduation, entrance into the State University System, and eligibility
for Bright Futures Scholarship awards. The
evaluations highlight requirements that have been met and those that
have not, letting students know exactly where they stand in
relationship to their goals. Adjustments can be made so there are no
unpleasant surprises as graduation approaches. For more information Click Here!
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The Big Springs Regional Science Fair was an
exciting event which took place on February 21st and
22nd for over 200 middle school and high school students from
Marion, Sumter and Levy counties. For
members of the Ocala Branch of the American Association of
University Women, it was an inspiring occasion as we watched these
young people pour into the Ocala National Armory eager to display their
science projects and explain their results to the judges. The
projects represented 13 different categories, ranging from behavioral
and social science to biochemistry, environmental sciences, engineering
and mathematics. Over half of the students competing were young
women.
Our middle school winner was Jessica Barron of North Marion Middle School, who designed a study of the Stroop Effect. She tested
a person's ability to look at a written word (which was the name of a
color, for example "Yellow") and read that word, even when
the word was printed in a different color (for example "RED").
Our
high school winner, Hannah Perkins, is a junior at South Sumter High
School. Her project "Athlete Equals Math-lete?" examined the effects of
exercise on mental acuity among high school students. She compared
the performance of 3 groups of students on a math test. The
student athletes outperformed the other students; both groups had the
same academic average standing in their grades. Hannah was
also selected by the Science Fair judges to go to the state Science
Fair to be held in Lakeland, Fl and she is an alternate to attend
an International Science Fair in Atlanta, Georgia.
The
local AAUW Branch president, Diane Schrier, presented the 2 AAUW awards
at the awards ceremony, held on Friday, February 22nd at the Marion
Technical Institute auditorium. Over 38 community organizations,
including Ocala AAUW, provided special awards to approximately 100
students. Following the special awards presentations, each
participant was recognized with a placement (1st, 2nd,3rd, 4th) award
or an honorable mention. Approximately 15 students, each from
Marion and Sumter counties were selected to attend the Florida State
Science Fair in Lakeland, Fl. By the end of the evening the room
was rocking with the enthusiastic shouts of the students, families and
guests. It was a GREAT event! Ocala AAUW, let's do this
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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 Teachers, Students, & Parents
Teachers:
Brain Pop
Check
out this animated, educational website that provides entertainment and
education for teachers, parents and students. The site provides comic
strips, activity pages and homework help available via e-mail. Fun
for students! And great to use in the classroom! To check out what
Brain Pop has to offer to your classroom, Click Here!
NOVA: Saved by the Sun
With
our nation's new urgency to find a solution to our uncertain energy
future, PBS and NOVA take a look at breakthroughs in the cheaper, more
efficient alternative of solar energy in this program. Check your local PBS listings for air times. Also available for viewing online, Click Here! Great program to view in the classroom! PBS has even provided a teacher guide available online, Click Here!
Students:
Bill Nye
Check
out home projects for planetary, physical and life science. Enjoy fun
facts, send e-cards to your friends, and watch Bill Nye episodes! Click Here!
Action for Nature
Take
action and read tips on how you can help make a more eco-friendly
environment. Then play games online and read about their features book. Click Here!
Parents:
Adventures in Education
This site contains
resources for families of college-bound student. From overviews of
college savings plans, to the cost of college today and in the future,
to ideas about what they'll need to pack for their first semester away
from home, this site is here to help. Click Here!
Parent to Parent
Parent
to Parent is a web site for parents by parents. With information about
health, education, and relationships this site is the ultimate parent
tool. The site also features articles and a weekly column by nationally
syndicated columnist, author, and parent educator Jodie Lynn. Click Here!
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