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National Center for Women & Information Technology facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
National Center for Women & Information Technology
NCWITSquareLogo.png
Logo of the National Center for Women & Information Technology
Abbreviation NCWIT
Founded August 12, 2004; 21 years ago (2004-08-12)
Founders
Type nonprofit organization
Legal status 501(c)(3)
Focus Women in Computing
Headquarters Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
Area served
 U.S.
Method Alliances, Research, and Programs
Lucy Sanders
Nancy Phillips
Thaddeus Arroyo
Terry Hogan
Revenue (2018)
 $6,448,227
Expenses (2018) $6,449,985
Employees (2017)
 0
Volunteers (2017)
 1,170
Website ncwit.org

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a special group that helps more girls and women get involved in the world of computers and technology. It's a nonprofit organization, which means it works for a good cause, not to make money. NCWIT started in 2004. It was founded by three people: Lucy Sanders, Dr. Telle Whitney, and Dr. Robert (Bobby) Schnabel.

NCWIT's main office is in Boulder, Colorado, at the University of Colorado Boulder. Lucy Sanders, one of the founders, is the current leader. She was even honored in the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame in 2007!

What NCWIT Does: Their Mission

NCWIT has a clear goal, which they share on their website. Their mission is to:

  • Help fix the problem of not enough girls and women in technology.
  • Support leaders who want to bring more women into computing. This includes helping them join, stay, and grow in tech jobs.

How NCWIT Works: Key Strategies

Working Together: Alliances

NCWIT connects many different groups. These groups are called "alliances." They include:

  • K–12 schools (kindergarten through high school).
  • Colleges and universities.
  • Companies and businesses.
  • New startup companies.
  • Other nonprofit groups.

More than 575 organizations are part of these alliances. They all work together to support women in technology.

Helpful Tools: Resources

NCWIT creates special guides and information based on research. These tools help their member groups make changes. They also help spread the word about why it's important to have more girls and women in computer science and the tech industry. These resources show people how to make improvements and raise awareness.

Big Meetings: The Summit

Every year, NCWIT holds a big meeting called the Annual NCWIT Summit. Hundreds of leaders from companies, schools, and other groups come together. They talk about important topics for women in computing. The event includes workshops, meetings, and inspiring speakers.

Fun Programs and Campaigns

NCWIT runs many programs and campaigns. Their goals include:

  • Helping schools change their computer lessons for younger students.
  • Helping women in computing share their achievements.
  • Encouraging high school girls to think about tech careers.
  • Celebrating women who start their own tech businesses.

Aspirations in Computing: For Young Tech Stars

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing is a program for young women and non-binary students. It celebrates their achievements in computing and technology.

  • It gives awards to high school, college, and graduate students.
  • It creates a community for college women.
  • The program supports students from high school through college and into their careers.
  • Big companies like AT&T, Bank of America, Google, and Microsoft help sponsor this program.

AspireIT: Teaching Younger Girls

AspireIT is a cool program where high school and college women design and lead computer programs for middle school girls.

  • The older students learn how to be mentors.
  • They also introduce younger girls to the exciting world of computing.

EngageCSEdu: Helping Teachers Teach Tech

EngageCSEdu is an online tool for teachers. It has thousands of materials for beginner computer science classes.

  • Teachers can upload and download lessons.
  • They can also find guides on the best ways to teach.
  • All materials are checked by other teachers. This makes sure they help make computer science easy to learn for women and other groups. Google helped NCWIT create EngageCSEdu.

Sit With Me: Showing Support for Women in Tech

Sit With Me is a national campaign that encourages women in tech careers.

  • They use a special Red Chair as a symbol.
  • The Red Chair means that women need more chances and roles in tech.
  • It also encourages everyone, men and women, to support technical women.
  • The campaign helps create places where women's contributions in computing can be celebrated.

Counselors for Computing (C4C): Guiding Students

NCWIT Counselors for Computing (C4C) gives school counselors information and tools. They use these to help all students explore computer science classes and jobs.

TECHNOLOchicas: Inspiring Latina Girls

TECHNOLOchicas is a program that helps young Latina girls and their families learn about tech jobs.

  • It shares stories from Latina women who work in tech.
  • These stories are shared on TV, at local events, on social media, and in online videos.
  • This helps young girls see role models they can relate to. Ana Maria Hermida Otero is one amazing Technolochica!

AspireIT K–12 Outreach Program: Mentors for Young Learners

This program connects K–12 girls who are interested in computing with high school and college women. These older students act as mentors. This helps younger girls feel more confident in their computer skills and leadership abilities.

Awesome Awards

NCWIT gives out many awards to celebrate people who make a difference in technology.

Pioneer in Tech Award: Honoring Tech Heroes

This award started in 2012. It celebrates people who have changed how society sees women in technology. They are true pioneers!

Symons Innovator Award: Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs

This award started in 2009. It celebrates successful women who start their own computing businesses. It's named after Jeanette Symons, a tech entrepreneur.

Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award: Great Mentors

This award honors college professors who guide and support women in computer-related fields. AT&T sponsors this award.

Harrold and Notkin Research and Graduate Mentoring Award: Supporting Future Leaders

This award celebrates professors who help women and minority graduate students in computing. They do this by offering research chances and mentorship. It's named after Mary Jean Harrold and David Notkin.

NCWIT EngageCSEdu Engagement Excellence Award: Best Teachers

This award, funded by Google, recognizes teachers who use great teaching methods in their beginner computer science classes. These methods help all students, especially young women and other groups, get excited about computing.

Aspirations in Computing Educator Award: Inspiring Teachers

This award honors teachers who encourage high school girls to follow their interests in tech careers. Winners receive money for professional training and recognition in their schools and communities.

Collegiate Award: College Tech Projects

Sponsored by HP and Qualcomm, this award celebrates the cool technical projects made by college women. These projects show creativity and can make a big impact on society. Up to six college women can win a $10,000 cash prize!

Reel WiT Award: Tech Role Models in Movies

This award is given by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, Google, and NCWIT. It celebrates the best portrayals of leading women in technology in movies, TV shows, or online videos. The goal is to show girls and women great role models in tech. In 2017, Allison Schroeder won for writing the movie "Hidden Figures."

Who Supports NCWIT?

NCWIT gets support from government groups and big companies in the technology world.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: National Center for Women & Information Technology para niños