National Center for Women in Technology (NCWIT)

NCWIT is a collection of organizations from K-12 education, higher education, workforce, individual tech companies, to international companies that work together to support women in technology fields. NCWIT connects with girls through their Computer Science (CS) teachers, and helps those teachers encourage their students by publicly recognizing them with an annual award, and working with the community to offer them gifts (swag or money), opportunities like internships, day visits, access to conferences and meetings, etc. The goal is to keep them taking courses to expand their technical knowledge and experience in high school and college, provide them with social clubs and challenges like ACM-W and SWE chapters in college as well as robotics and the Oregon Game Project Challenge (OGPC) competitions and clubs in high school. NCWIT offers grants at both the high school and college level to allow girls to reach out to other girls. 

Aspirations in Computing Program:

The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) program is designed to encourage young girls with technical talents and interest to consider a career in computing. The method of doing that involves working with high school and college teachers of computing. The Oregon & SW Washington Regional Affiliate of NCWIT works with approximately 350 high schools. In addition, they hosted the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) program and a competition for high school students where over 645 girls representing 87 high schools received awards. AiC awards are also granted to community members and educators.

For ways to get involved with NCWIT and Aspirations in Computing in Oregon and SW Washington, contact:

Ron Tenison, Co-chair, tenison@frontier.com, 503-646-4031

Kathy Zettl-Schaffer, Consultant, Regional Affiliate Manager Aspirations in Computing Program - National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT), kathy.zettl-schaffer@ncwit.org, mobile: 503-944-9993