ITs SMART: An Overview of

Girls Inc. of Holyoke’sIT and SMART Programs

Suzanne Parker

Executive Director

Girls Inc. 101Our History, Our Mission, Our Vision, Our Programs

STEM Need: Why Girls Only?

SMART @ Girls Inc.What Happens When We

Assume girls are interested in math and science

SMART @ Girls Inc.What Happens When We

Let girls make big, interesting mistakes

SMART @ Girls Inc.What Happens When We

Help girls get past the YUCK! factor

SMART @ Girls Inc.What Happens When We

Expect girls to succeed

@ Girls Inc.Explore and pursue IT careers

Enroll in high school algebra & geometry

Use technology & build confidence

Prepare for STEM undergraduate

programs

Engaging girls through problem solving and design

@ Girls Inc.

Mother/Daughter Tech Nights

What we have learned… Girls began to develop the Enduring Understandings about form and function, how the Internet works, etc.

Girls developed confidence with technology

Some girls became interested in IT careers

Families must be engaged, they can benefit just as much as the girls

As IT changes so must our programmingStaff need access to training Girls need access to the most up-to-date technology

Strong collaborations to IT professionals are a key to success

Implementation over school breaks or summer have more consistent enrollment

Opportunities for Growth• College Access

• Blogging

• Financial Literacy

• IT career pathways

• Safety & Security

• Research

• Academic Support

• Family Workshops

• Web Design

• Gaming

• Science & Math

• Health Research

• Media Literacy

• And…

Connect with Us, Contact Uswww.girlsincholyoke.org