MORE ACTIVE GIRLS IN COMPUTING

MAGIC

MORE ACTIVE GIRLS IN COMPUTING

  • Vision

    VISION


    Be a world class resource for guiding and assisting young women considering studying one or more science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) areas.

  • Mission

    MISSION


    Focus on providing middle and high school girls, who are considering studying a STEM area, with a knowledge of tools and resources available for them to be successful.

why

The number of girls entering the computing and high tech arena is continuing to drop, with women comprising only about 26% of the technology workforce today.

It is also universally accepted that this serious shortage of women in technology is not due to a lack of talent, but due to many discouraging factors that exist in our society today.

What is needed is a mentoring program throughout the country, available to everyone. MAGIC aims to be such a program.

The number of girls entering the computing and high tech arena is continuing to drop, with women comprising only about 26% of the technology workforce today. Furthermore, the number of girls dropping out in college from computing or technology is significant.

This is a serious issue, and recognized as such by many. It is also universally accepted that this shortage of women in technology is not due to a lack of talent, but due to a plethora of discouraging factors that exist in our society today.

While there are many grassroots efforts to address this problem, both as ongoing activities as well as one-time seminars and conferences, information about this strong support is not widely available. Additionally, this support is limited to certain areas in the country and/or certain segments of the population.

What is needed is a mentoring program throughout the country, available to everyone. MAGIC aims to be such a program. We believe that we need to start with middle school girls, and foster in them a positive attitude towards computing.

how

MAGIC provides one-on-one mentoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for middle and high school girls, and is run by women with careers in technology.

Mentoring is on both technical and personal subjects, including the role of girls in our society and how that is changing, how to avoid the technology stereotype, etc.

The mentee explores her interests in STEM under the guidance of her mentor, works on one or more STEM projects, and presents her work at the end of the session.

MAGIC provides one-on-one mentoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for middle and high school girls. It is run by women with careers in technology, and mentoring is carried out on both technical and personal subjects, including work/life balance, the role of girls in our society and how that is changing, how to avoid the technology stereotype, etc.

Each girl accepted into the program (a MAGIC mentee) is paired with a woman in STEM (a MAGIC mentor), and they meet weekly for an hour for three to nine months, depending on the session in question.

We have sessions starting in fall for up to nine months, starting in spring for up to five months, and sometimes, a limited session in summer. The mentee explores her interests in STEM under the guidance of her mentor, and works on one or more STEM projects. She presents her work at the end of the session to an audience consisting of other mentees, mentors, parents and family members, and MAGIC staff.

  • Mentor

    BE A MENTOR


    Want to be a resource for guiding and assisting young girls and women considering studying one or more STEM areas? Be a volunteer MAGIC mentor!

    • You must be a woman with a career (past or present) in STEM.
    • You must pledge a time commitment of four to six months, for approximately eight hours per month.
    • You must provide a professional profile, including the number of years of professional experience.
    • You must consent to participate in a comprehensive background check.
    • You must go through an application process, including a phone interview.
    • You must complete a course of initial orientation/training.
  • Mentee

    BE A MENTEE


    Interested in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM)? Not sure? Want to learn more, and see if a career in these fields is what you want? Be a MAGIC mentee, and see for yourself!

    • You must be a middle or high school girl, interested in a STEM field.
    • You must furnish written parental consent.
    • You must pledge a time commitment of two to three hours per week during the mentoring session.
    • If accepted, your parents must sign a waiver and release of liability form.