A survey commissioned by Microsoft found that young girls became interested in STEM subjects around the age of 11, but quickly lost interest by 15 years of age. As a result, the number of girls preparing themselves for technical jobs (by studying maths, engineering, computing, and/or sciences), is disproportionally low. There are many reasons for this loss of interest - from peer pressure, conformity to social expectations, gender stereotypes, gender roles, a lack of role models and support from parents and teachers, to a general misperception of what STEM careers look like in the real world.
Inicio's GirlTechies™ event is designed to make girls and young women aware of the vast possibilities that the field of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) offers. We quell misconceptions about the sector, explore all the exciting career options available, and help girls unleash their tech skills! Inicio has celebrated Girls in ICT day since 2016 , and with every successive year the number of participants and the activities we offer gets bigger and better!
During our 2019 event, Inicio focused on the concept of “gaming”. More than 100 girls between the ages of 12 – 19 years participated in our full day of hands on activities. The participants created their own gamified CubeNode from scratch - and learnt all about electronics, circuit boards to soldering in the process. Students also worked on a unique real-life case study provided by PrimeTime Sverige where they had to brainstorm how to improve the user experience of their mobile gaming app. Workshop attendees were fully supported throughout the event by Inicio's incredible team of mentors - students who are studying in the field of ICT at some of Sweden’s leading universities.
By contributing to our effort to inspire more girls this year, you get:
With the Silver Package, you get everything included in Bronze plus:
With the Gold package, you get everything included in Silver & Bronze plus: