Collaboration Institute 2008
NGCP Collaborative Leadership Team Members and AAUW Liaisons came together in Seattle on March 10- 12 for the second annual Collaboration Institute. Hosted by Microsoft at their Redmond campus, 50 participants representing regional collaboratives from California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Participants engaged in learning about the NGCP model, planned regional collaborative activities, and attended a Northwest Girls Collaborative Project forum. Texas and Kentucky have kick-off conferences planned. Watch for forums and kick-off conferences around the United States over the next year!

Wisconsin STEM Grants
Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Elizabeth Burmaster, recently awarded 13 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) grants to school districts throughout Wisconsin. The competitive grants were implemented to help school districts develop innovative instructional programs in STEM-related categories and increase student academic achievement. This effort grew out of the Wisconsin Girls Collaborative Project (WGCP). WGCP leadership team members developed the initial budget proposal that Burmaster forwarded to the State legislature for consideration. In addition, the grants are designed to focus efforts on those under-represented groups in the STEM areas. The grant applicants were encouraged to collaborate with community-based organizations, business partners and higher education subject matter experts in the development and implementation of their projects.
Full News Release

Texas Girls Collaborative Project Kick-off Conference
April 18, 2008
10:00AM- 3:30PM
The University of Texas at Austin campus
The TxGCP Kick-off Conference is the official launch of the project and the first opportunity for organizations, companies and educators to meet, share best practices and forge partnerships to advance efforts aimed at diversifying the engineering community.
http://texasgirls .engr.utexas.edu

Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative Project Kick-Off Conference
May 23, 2008
10:00AM-3:00PM
University of Kentucky-Lexington
This historic event is scheduled to launch the start of the Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative. We will provide information on mini-grant availability, showcase girl-serving STEM programs in Kentucky, and provide plenty of networking activities. Kentucky Secretary of Education, Helen Mountjoy, will welcome the group, followed by a panel of phenomenal women from our community. Exhibits, roundtable discussions, and lunch will able be included. Contact Sue Scheff, suescheff@uky.edu
http://www.ngcproject.org/kentucky

NGCP April Webcast
Using the Data: How to Plan, Develop and Use Program Evaluation to Build a Better Program
April 9, 2008
11:00-12:00 PDT
Collecting data from participants and other stakeholders is an integral part of any informal education program, but the real benefit comes from using the data to inform program planning and delivery. In this webcast learn about methods for collecting evaluation data and how a summer engineering camp is using evaluation to maximize its impact. Presenters: Vicky Ragan, Evaluation & Research Associates and Tricia Berry, Women in Engineering Program, The University of Texas at Austin.
http://www.ngcproject.org/events/webcasts.cfm

NGCP May Webcast
You Can Make a Difference: Learn How to Plan Role Model Visits and Field Trips to Inspire Girls in Technology, Science, and Engineering
May 14, 2008
11:00-12:00 PDT
How can I get my students excited about a career in technology, science, or engineering? How can I work better with industry professionals and corporate partners to encourage outreach to students? When a role model visits my classroom, how can I make sure they are engaging and able to excite my students about careers in science, technology, and engineering? Participate in this webcast to learn how to address these questions and help role models connect with girls in your community. Since 2000, Techbridge has served over 2,000 girls, 7,000 educators, and corporate partners through trainings and resources. With hands-on projects like the Green Dollhouse Project and Cars and Engines that capture girls' interest Techbridge has successfully put girls into the STEM pipeline.
http://www.ngcproject.org/events/webcasts.cfm

WEPAN National Conference
Gateway to Diversity: Getting Results through Strategic Communications
Hyatt Regency St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
June 8-10, 2008
WEPAN's National Conference is a lively forum with opportunities to foster conversations among educators, researchers, academic leaders, women in engineering and science staff, corporate and government advocates and others who work to effect gender equity in STEM fields. Early registration discount by April 15, 2008.
http://www.wepan.org

ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Building Bridges to Create Change in Engineering Education
Pittsburgh, PA
June 22 - 25, 2008
The ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, committed to fostering the exchange of ideas, enhancing teaching methods and curricula, and providing networking opportunities for faculty members, deans and industry representatives interested in furthering engineering education.
http://www.asee.org/conferences/index.cfm

Microsoft Summer Camp for Girls
DigiGirlz High Tech Camp is a free technology camp for girls. Its goal is to educate and inspire girls by introducing them to the considerable opportunities and career choices available in the high-tech industries.
Camps in the following cities are accepting applications:
Fargo, ND
Las Colinas, TX
Redmond, WA
Stony Brook, NY
For most camps, applications are due in May and eligible applicants should be in grades 9-12.
https://www.microsoft.com/about/diversity/
programs/camps.mspx

Talking to High School Girls About Engineering
Engineer Your Life is a national initiative that inspires college-bound high school girls to integrate engineering into their future studies and careers. The Web site features a wealth of information and resources for high school girls and the adults in their lives who want to learn more about what life and work are like for engineers. Help us tell girls how exciting and meaningful a career in engineering can be. Free resources are available. Contact Ceit Zweil at ceit_zweil@wgbh.org.

STEM: The Push to Improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Technology Counts 2008-the 11th edition of Education Week's annual report on educational technology-finds that even though states have ratcheted up their expectations for education in STEM, efforts have yet to yield high performance in those subject areas. This report provide detailed information for each state.
http://www.edweek.org/rc/articles/2004/1 0/15/tc-archive.html

PBS TV Show Design Squad Seeking Contestants
Design Squad is seeking candidates ages 18-19 who are passionate about engineering and are excited to spend the months of June-August in Boston (and traveling as well) tackling design challenges and competing for the $10,000 prize. Produced by WGBH-Boston for PBS, the program's goal is to get viewers excited about engineering and the design process. Apply by Friday, April 11.
http://www.pbs.org/designsquad

Title IX and Science and Engineering Resources
Title IX is a law requiring any school receiving federal funding to provide equal opportunities for girls. This Web site provides resources for actions students, educators, and parents can take to improve the educational environment.
http://momox.org/titleix.html

NGCP Program Directory- Register your Program Today!
The online Program Directory lists organizations and programs that focus on motivating girls to pursue STEM careers. The purpose of the directory is to help organizations and individuals network, share resources and collaborate on STEM-related projects for girls. When you sign up for the Program Directory you will enter your program description, resources available within your organization, program and/or organizational needs and contact information.
http://www.ngcproject.org/directory/index.cfm

American Association of University Women (AAUW) members across the country are serving as Regional Liaisons for the National Girls Collaborative Project. These Regional Liaisons help the people involved in the NGCP to make connections - to one another, to resources on gender equity, and to AAUW.

AWE is the Assessing Women and Men in Engineering Project, which provides exportable assessment instruments, literature resources, and methodologies for Women in Engineering and similar programs. AWE is developing resources for use by K-12 STEM programs as part of NGCP services.