| Contact Information |
| Email: Michaele Laws Phone: 423-439-6952 |
| Email: Kellie Price Phone: 423-439-5385 |
| Website: GIST Website |
In its third year at ETSU, Girls in Science and Technology (GIST) is a series of weeklong camp sessions for girls entering grades 5, 6, or 7, which takes place on campus during the month of June. The summer camp gives females from around the region the chance to explore concepts in scientific and technical fields.
"We want to offer insight to computers and different careers that are available to them in the fields of computing and technology," said Michaele Laws, ETSU assistant professor of Computer and Information Science. "We hope that the community will join in supporting this camp financially. We really appreciate Pal's, BoJangles, and Pizza Hut who have stepped up to provide lunch for the campers in previous years."
Although the workshop also exposes participants to a little of the traditional biological and physical sciences, the series includes particular attention to technical areas. Rebecca Loyd, an advisor and instructor for the department said, women account for only about 5 percent of the enrollment in computer science.
"Females are still a minority in technical fields," she said. "So, we're trying to encourage these females to explore these careers. We want to give them some positive exposure to technology."
Laws, Price, and Loyd lead activities in World Wide Web page design, animated graphics, programming music, and other computer-based skills. They also incorporate team building activities and "science tours" to other departments across campus. "We want the females to gain confidence in their computer skills and their interpersonal skills," said Loyd.
"I've been kind of scared of computers, and I wanted to learn more," said Laurel Stunkard, a Happy Valley Middle School student attending this week's series of seminars and lectures.
Laurel, who just turned 14, said she knows the importance technology already plays in most fields. She believes it will be an even bigger part of her future, regardless of the career she chooses.
"By the time all of us grow up, everything is going to be run by computers, I am sure," she said. "So, it's good to learn now."
Laws had a similar take on the need for all females to become technology-literate.
"They need to have the technical skills," she said. "Having those skills is beneficial to them no matter what they do."
While women have broader choices than ever, Laws said females have not been encouraged to enter scientific studies at the same rate as males. Laws said one reason so few females go into such careers is a lack of role models.
"They don't know as many female engineers or programmers," she said.
So, the program also has included guest lectures from women working in technical fields, such as Web design, technical writing, programming, and management.
Hearing from Web designer Carolyn Novak meant a lot to Indian Trail Middle School's Courtney Green, 13. She had her sights set on being the United States' first female president or a lawyer, but the workshop got her thinking about other possibilities.
The coordinators of the GIST camp are thrilled by the success of each summer program, and look forward to exploring new ways to excite females about the field of computing.
For more information, please contact Michaele Laws at 423-439-6952 or Rebecca Loyd at 423-439-7413 or Kellie Price at 423-439-5385.
