Girls learn to love technology

The Courier.  September 25, 2006

A camp aimed at getting girls to consider jobs in information technology was run in Ballarat this week for the first time.

The girls celebrated the final day of the camp with a disco, where the robots they had learned to program danced.

Twenty-three Year 10 students from nine schools were involved in the four-day camp run by IBM and the committee for Ballarat.

Mt Clear College student Caelli Greenbank said the camp had opened her eyes to working with computers.

 “There aren’t many girls in IT, and it’s actually a lot of fun,” she said.

The camp was also a good place to meet friends with similar interests and learn new skills, she said.

IBM Ballarat Security Manager and camp leader Cameron Woolfe said the girls had learnt not to be intimidated by the technology.

He said the students had learnt about web design, podcasting, animation and forensics and crime investigation during the week.

The camp was aimed at Year 10 students because they were in the process of choosing their year 12 subjects.

Information and Communication and Technology Minister Marsha Thompson said the State Government was trying to encourage more firls to join the technology sector.

“Over the past decade, women have consistently comprised less than 25 per cent of the ICT work force, so we want to see more of out clever, inventive and creative young women working in the technology industry.”

“This camp is an invaluable opportunity for the girls to gain a practical insight into the incredible variety of interesting and rewarding careers they can pursue as ICT specialists.”

The government part-funded the Exploring Interest in Technology and Engineering camp for girls.