KINGSPORT, Tenn., September 9, 2011 Eastman Chemical Company and Northeast State Community College Kingsport Center for Higher Education have partnered with Microsoft to host the areas first DigiGirlz Day. About 50 female high school students across the region are attending.
DigiGirlz Day is one of Microsofts signature programs to invest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education for young women and build a pipeline of future workers ready for the challenges of the global economy. Donna Bank-Hoglen, Operations and Community Manager for Microsofts Heartland District explains, We want the students to think of technology careers in a new way. Whatever their passion, technology is a part of it. I hope they tap into their inner geek and then make it chic!
Keynote speaker Linda Garceau, Dean of the College of Business and Technology at East Tennessee State University, opens the event. A panel of women in IT from Microsoft, Eastman, and Northeast State Technical Community College share their experiences in the field and answer questions from attendees.
Attendees also participate in workshops where they learn how to program in Kodu, a game building tool, and work with developers on a variety of table-top products that demonstrate how IT impacts our everyday lives. An X-Box with Kinect, computer, and a variety of other prizes will be given away during the event. Prizes were made available through donations from Microsoft, Pals Sudden Service, and other area businesses.
Karen Chastain, administrative systems manager at Eastman Chemical Company, notes, We appreciate the great community support for this event. DigiGirlz Day is a great way to learn first-hand about IT. She adds, IT offers a strong job market and needs a diverse workforce. That makes it a good choice for women. We hope we inspire some of these young ladies to join the future generation of women in IT.
About Northeast State Community College, Kingsport Higher Education Center
The Kingsport Center for Higher Education (KCHE) offers the core classes and prerequisite classes for degree and certificate programs offered at the Northeast State at Kingsport and the Baccalaureate Programs offered in the KCHE. You can complete an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science (University Parallel Programs) and transfer directly into one of the senior institutions housed in the Kingsport Center for Higher Education. For more information, visit www.kingsporthighered.org.
About Microsoft Corporation/DigiGirlz Program
Microsofts DigiGirlz Programs give high school girls the opportunity to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops.
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