Global WiDS Announces the WiDS High School Outreach Program
Summary
Interested educators can register today to receive information and notifications about the WiDS High School Outreach Program launch. “Efforts to solve gender disparity in STEM needs to start at a young age,” says Karen Matthys, Executive Director, External Partners at Stanford’s Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering (ICME) and Co-Director of the WiDS initiative. “We want to engage students before they are tempted to believe the stereotypes that girls are lacking when it comes to STEM, or that if you like science somehow you’re not ‘cool.’ We want to show these kids role models who are in the field and demonstrate just some of the many ways there are to be involved in data science—in whatever area they are passionate about—from healthcare to environmental studies, from music to government. “I love watching how this curriculum is opening my students’ eyes to the field of data science,” says Marianne Chowning-Dray, Math teacher from Eastside Prep. Now, WiDS includes a global organization, with approximately 150+ regional events worldwide; a datathon, encouraging participants to hone their skills using a social impact challenge; a podcast, featuring leaders in the field talking about their work, their journeys, and lessons learned; and ongoing education initiatives.