Newsletters (NWSISD) NWSISD newsletter - November 2013 | Page 2

YOUNG
WOMEN’S
EXPO

Finding Your Passion!
Over 200 young women in
grades 9-12 took part in the
Young Women’s Expo on
Friday, October 4 at North
Hennepin Community
College.
Students had the opportunity
to participate in two
workshops: Finding Your
Passion, presented by the
University of Minnesota
Extension; and Social Media
and Body Image presented by
Park Nicollet Melrose Center
and C Change N U.
In partnership with North
Hennepin Community
College, students were led on
a guided tour and also
participated in a panel
discussion about college.
The Young Woman’s Expo
begins the process for
students to start thinking
about their future, college
and the potential that awaits
them. It also brings
awareness and exposure to
issues affecting young
women in our society today.

Grace Hopper Celebration of
Women in Computing

Ten Northwest Suburban Students attend Anita Borg Institute
Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing October 2-5
in Minneapolis
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper is considered a pioneer in the computer science
field. Hopper, one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer, is
also credited with helping to develop COBOL, one of the first modern
programming languages; popularizing the term “debugging” and developed
the first compiler.
The Anita Borg Institute (ABI) Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in
Computing is just that - a celebration of women who are passionate about
computer science. It is the largest technical conference for women in the
computer science industry.
This year, ABI included high school girls to join the celebration. The girls,
selected by application, represented high schools from across the metro area.
Northwest Suburban had ten students selected from 65 applications. The girls
joined workshops, listened to keynote speakers, enjoyed a career and college
fair, attended panel presentations, and took part in a code-a-thon for humanity.
The who’s who of technology was at this conference.
The enthusiasm displayed by the girls, all who are in STEM/STEAM programs at
their high schools, is encouraging. An industry which has only 23% of a female
workforce has flatlined for women. Conferences like Grace Hopper not only
encourage our young women to continue with computer science, but give them
a peek into the real world and what their future potential can be.

Grace Hopper Conference Attendees: By the numbers
Total women
attending

4600

High school girls
from around the
metro attending

40

NWSISD high
school girls
attending

10