Women Girls Workshop Overview
Objective:
To expose students to exciting digital careers they can pursue and the many benefits of pursuing a career in computers.
Part A: Introduction to Careers in Construction
The introduction portion of this workshop will introduce students to the Canadian Digital Economy with a focus on how this industry is rapidly growing.
Secondly, the top careers that are currently in- demand in Canada within this field will be examined.
Each of these careers will then be explored closely, with descriptions of each along with the educational pathways necessary to pursue these careers. The various organizations/institutions that employ digitally skilled workers will be examined. This information will be presented in a PowerPoint presentation.
PowerPoint Presentation: 21 slides
Part B: Mentor/ Role Model Component
Research indicates that one of the most important factors to the success of young women in technical fields and skilled trades is providing mentors and role models. Young women need to see examples of other women successfully following non-traditional career paths. For this portion of the workshop, choose from the following options:
1. Mentor Presentation
A contact list of local women in the skilled trades and technical fields has been provided in this toolkit, along with their contact information. They may be contacted to make presentations to students regarding the challenges and benefits of pursuing a career in the skilled trades and technical fields.
Mentor Contact List2. Mentor Brochures
Brochures of local mentors have also been provided in this toolkit which can be used as case studies
of successful women pursuing a skilled trade or technology. They include information such as education, salary, employer, skills, challenges, and benefits of various careers in the skilled trades and technical fields. These brochures can be used as supplementary materials in addition to a mentor presentation, or alone if mentors are unavailable.
3. Video Clips
There are several video clips located on the accompanying USB drive of women working in the skilled trades and technology that can be shown in addition to the ones already embedded within the PowerPoint presentations. These can be used as supplementary materials, or as the primary method of exposing young women to mentors in the skilled trades and technical fields.
Part C: Experimental Learning Exercise
Introduction to Coding
Introduce students to coding by visiting:
CodeCombat is a game-based computer science program that teaches students how to code and allows them to see their game characters react in real time. Teachers can register for free and set up a course for their students. Students will learn the basics of game development and web development.
while teachers can access lesson plans and track student progress. CodeCombat helps educators teach students how to code in either JavaScript or Python, two of the most popular programming languages. The first course is free and additional courses require a license.
Outcomes
Upon completion of this workshop, students will:
- Be informed of the high-demand of digitally-skilled workers Canada will be seeking in the coming years
- Be able to identify several digital careers they can pursue and the education necessary for each career
- Have an understanding of the need for digitally-skilled workers across all industries and sectors, not just in tech-based companies
- Be able to identify several reasons for the gender disparity in this field as seen in the video clip
- Experience a hands-on activity introducing them to coding