Blog

July 8, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- JULY 8, 2019 -- You hear about the importance of STEM education. Now you can do something about it. TechGirlz, the renowned tech training platform for middle school girls ages 11-14, is a finalist for the Philadelphia Foundation’s Key to Community Grants Program. The top prize is $200,000. There are nine finalists, and it’s up to the local community to choose a winner. The Philadelphia Foundation has set up a website at https://www.philafound.org/vote/. Voting opens at midnight on July 8, 2019 and ends at midnight on July 26, 2019. Residents of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and…

June 18, 2019

Written by volunteer writer Alison Perch There are many entry points to careers in technology, from science to design to language. For Amy Freeman, writing offered a pathway to the world of tech. “The type of writing I do wouldn't exist without technology,” Amy says. Amy works in digital/content marketing as a content writer, creating copy and blog posts for companies’ websites. Her work involves digital marketing techniques, including search engine optimization (SEO). She also uses technology, such as WordPress and similar CMS platforms, to develop content. Amy has a formal background in the arts, rather than technology. She earned…

June 11, 2019

Written by volunteer writer Amy Freeman Having a collection of data is one thing. Knowing what to do with that data is another thing entirely. R is a software environment and programming language that allows for the manipulation of data and data analysis. Darina Chudnovskaya (pictured above), a data analyst who studies epidemiology, used R throughout her graduate program to learn about statistical techniques and data management. Working at a hospital in Philadelphia, she uses R at work for data management. She also uses the program for outside programs. The goal of her work is "to translate findings into interventions…

May 28, 2019

Written by volunteer writer Alison Perch When Ruth Willenborg retired from a career in tech, she wanted to do something to support the next generation. “I started looking at different STEM organizations and found TechGirlz in the triangle region. I was very impressed with both the local and national organization, and it aligned perfectly with my retirement volunteer interests,” Ruth says. Ruth spent 30 years at IBM in various software development roles and retired from her position as a Distinguished Engineer. Today, as a volunteer instructor for TechGirlz, Ruth loves encouraging girls to explore technology. “[I enjoy] how unique the…

May 20, 2019

Written by volunteer writer Amy Freeman Optum has once again shown its dedication to encouraging girls in tech by hosting another TechGirlz TechShop. Following the success of its Make a Website Using CSS/HTML and Introduction to JavaScript workshops, Optum hosted A Day in the Life of a Web Designer at end of March. The workshop was led by Kristen Slappey (who also taught the Intro to JavaScript TechShop) and Caitlin Doyle (who was a TA during the Intro to JavaScript workshop). The pair led a group of more than 23 girls in an interactive discussion that focused on the differences…