Resources for Educators

The following section lists films, documentaries, and websites that develop the issues involved in increasing the number of women and minorities in Information Technology as well as sources that encourage this participation. Feel free to use these as education tools or for personal research.

Websites:

Artbotics

In the Artbotics project, the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) is collaborating with The Revolving Museum and Lowell High School, using project-based learning to introduce students to computing. Student projects use low-cost robotics technology for embedded control (the Super Cricket). Student work culminates in exhibits at The Revolving Museum.

CSTA: Computer Science Teachers Association

The Computer Science Teachers Association is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. CSTA provides opportunities for K-12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn.

UMBC.edu/CWIT

The Center for Women and Information Technology (CWIT) is dedicated to providing global leadership in achieving women's full participation in all aspects of information technology (IT). Women's participation in IT will strengthen the workforce, raise the standard of living for many women, and help to assure that information technology addresses women's needs and expands the possibilities for their lives.

Oreillynet.com/Womenintech

This is a series of articles written by women on the topic of "Women in Technology." The articles describe real women's daily experiences working in technology careers, the ups and downs, big steps forward and a great foundation for community.

WomenInTechnology.org

Women in Technology (WIT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to offering women in all levels of the technology industry a wide range of professional development and networking opportunities. One of the organization’s main goals is to create a forum where women in technology can be recognized and promoted as role models. Now nearly 1000 members strong, WIT provides programs designed to enable you to expand your network, grow your business, or find your next career opportunity. You benefit from networking, connecting, learning and interacting with women at all levels in their careers, in all areas of technology, in government and industry.

WomenTechWorld

The on-line home for women technicians to connect with each other. Read stories about female role models in a wide range of tech occupations, these fabulous diverse women are from across the US and are all ages and races.

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Films:

Conceiving Ada

This 85-minute film is a fictionalized account of the life story of Ada Byron King, Countess of Lovelace, and her pioneering contributions to computer science, including inventing the first computer language and predicting its use in music, poetry, and art.

Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America

This 15-minute film is based on the findings of The American Association of University Women in their nationwide study of equity problems in schools across the U.S. It examines how inequitties affect girls' self-esteem, career aspirations, educational experiences, and interest in math and science.

Tech-Savy Girls

This 30-minute film with narrator Mae Jemison, former NASA astronaut and president of the Jemison Group, examines the under-representation of girls in technology courses and careers and spotlights innovative steps taken by educators and parents to close the technology gender gap.

Women and Mathematics Across Cultures

This 25-minute film profiles the stories of 4 women mathematicians with careers based in Europe and N.&S. America. The women recount their personal experiences, and look at the impact of cultural pressures and differences.

Discovering Women

This is a six-part series of 1-hour films on notable women scientists and their lives, and what helped them succeed in traditional male-dominated fields.
Part 1: High Energy- Melissa Franklin (Physicist)
Part 2: Jewels in a Test Tube- Lynda Jordan (Biochemist)
Part 3: Earth Explorer- Marcia McNutt (Geophysicist)
Part 4: Secrets Underground- Patty Jo Watson (Archeologist)
Part 5: Silicon Vision- Misha Mahowald (Computer Neuroscientist)
Part 6: DNA Detective- Lydia Villa-Komaroff (Biologist)
*Available for rent at many libraries

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Documentaries:

Against The Odds

This 23-minute documentary profiles the stories of three Canadian women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds who overcame incredible odds to emerge as successful entrepreneurs in the fields of Science and Internet Technology.

The Gender Chip Project

This 54-minutes documentary is by filmaker Helen De Michiel for the Gender Chip Project, which aims to increase the number of female participants in traditionally male dominated scence disciplines. The film follows the lives of several young women majoring in the sciences, engineering, and math at Ohio State University in Columbus. The footage ranges from the first year of college through graduation documenting the experiences and struggles that these students face as women stepping into traditionally male domains.

Asking Different Questions: Women and Science

This 51-minute documentary profiles five women from different countries and looks at their scientifici work and the reflection of feminie values illustrated.

Minerva's Machine

A 1-hour documentary that celebrates the history and the contributions of women in computing. It profiles successful women in the computing field today and their diversity. The film also explores the reasons why women began to leave the field in the mid-80's and why there are fewer women than men in computing today.

Women In Science

This documentary gives an overview of the history of women in science, as well as profiles six contemporary women scientists and their careers.

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