NCWIT Announce Third Annual Computing Competition

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The National Center for Women & Information Technology, along with an Indiana University-led consortium of universities and corporations, kicked off the third annual Indiana Aspirations in Computing Award competition for Indiana high school girls in Grades 9 to 12.
Twenty young women will be recognized for their computing-related achievements and interests in a competition that is part of a nationwide effort spearheaded by NCWIT to generate visibility for women’s participation in the field of computing and ultimately to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology. Winners are acknowledged for their outstanding aptitude and interest in technology and computing, leadership ability, academic history and plans for post-secondary education.
Students submitted applications by the Oct. 31 deadline and winners will be notified in early December and then honored at an awards celebration at OneAmerica Headquarters in Indianapolis in January 2013. All young women in Grades 9 to 12 in Indiana were eligible to enter. Each winner will receive $250, scholarship opportunities from several computing departments throughout the state of Indiana, engraved plaques for themselves and their school, a T-shirt and a gift bag.
Last year’s winners were selected from a pool of approximately 100 applicants from high schools across the state, and the award has provided many with inspiration to pursue their interest in technology at the next level.
“Gender diversity in IT means a larger and more competitive workforce and, in a world dependent on innovation, it means the ability to design technology that is as broad and creative as the people it serves,” said Maureen Biggers, Indiana’s Aspirations in Computing awards chair and assistant dean for diversity, inclusion and education in the IU School of Informatics and Computing.
The Indiana coalition includes Purdue University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, University of Notre Dame, OneAmerica, Women & Hi Tech, the Society for Information Management, Microsoft and several other corporate sponsors.
About NCWIT
The National Center for Women & Information Technology is a nonprofit coalition of more than 200 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government agencies and nonprofits working to improve U.S. innovation, competitiveness and workforce sustainability by increasing women’s participation in IT. NCWIT’s work spans K-12 and higher education through industry and academic careers. (Source:IU News Room)