marla@Sun.COM (Marla Parker) (06/30/88)
I know it is the wrong time of year for this, but I would like
to be part of a group that visits high school groups, especially
girls, to discuss their career options and, naturally, to encourage
the ones who are interested in technical fields.
But I have no idea how to go about finding such a group. I've
asked around a bit, without much response so far. Suggestions?
Advice? Has anyone had experience doing this?
Marla Parker
{ihnp4, decvax, seismo, decwrl, ...}!sun!marla
marla@sun.comcdfk@otter.hple.hp.com (Caroline Knight) (07/07/88)
And another one from HP... I have been involved with several local schools. This has mostly been rather ad hoc and depended on the right people being together at the right time for them to get started. I have talked to sixth formers about AI and what one does in AI research for a large company. I tend to stress the activities that are actually invovled because its all very well getting someone fired up with enthusiasm for a particular subject area but the day to day activities and possible rewards are easier to communicate and paint a more realistic picture than the "ivory tower" that the word research tends to paint in people's heads. I also stress how little code is written compared to reports (at least in my line of work thats true). However I think the age to aim at is much younger. In the UK education system we start to specialise very early, I'd prefer to inspire 13 year olds than 15 year olds who have already opted out of the sciences. I did a project with 13 year olds which they took to enthusiastically but probably turned them more towards setting up their own companies and marketing than computing. At least I changed some of their preconceptions about the computing industry! A more organised contact with school age girls has been through Sussex University. They run an annual open day to encourage more women to take their AI course. My advice to anyone wishing to do something constructive is to actually contact a school and ask if there is a forum for outside speakers. For instance afterschool clubs or a teacher in maths or sciences who tries to show where these subjects can realistically lead. Then arrange either a talk or something more longlasting like a project. Caroline Knight