Media Contact:
Christina Dirksen, Strategic Communications Manager, DTI
(302) 739-9500 Christina.Dirksen@delaware.gov

DigiGirlz Program Contacts:
Claudette Martin-Wus, DTI
(302) 739-9636, claudette.martin-wus@delaware.gov

HANDS-ON TECH DAY FOR 8^TH AND 9^TH GRADE GIRLS

 DOVER, Del. — Registration is now open for Delaware DigiGirlz Day 2020, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary! Girls in the 8^th and 9^th grades (or ages 13-15) are invited to spend a day filled with hands-on learning that feature careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.  DigiGirlz Day is designed to encourage young women to explore the possibilities available in those fields.

DigiGirlz Day is May 20, 2020 at Delaware Tech’s Terry Campus in Dover starting at 8:30 a.m. It is free and open to 8^th and 9^th grade girls (ages 13-15) in Delaware public, private, charter and home schools. Individual students are also encouraged to participate. Pre-registration is mandatory – continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

“DigiGirlz Day is such a creative and fun way to empower young women and get them excited about STEM careers,” said Governor John Carney. “We want to thank Microsoft, as well as all the partners who have made this event possible for the last 10 years and inspired more than a thousand young Delaware women.”

“Providing inclusive opportunities is a priority and we’re pleased that since Delaware began hosting DigiGirlz Day we’ve been able to reach more than 1,200 young women,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer James Collins. “With the ongoing support from our partners, it is our goal to encourage young women to pursue STEM opportunities that can potentially turn into the careers of tomorrow. This is a great example of how we can leverage public/private partnerships for the greater good.”

“The girls who have attended this annual event in the past have gained a better understanding of potential STEM careers – from being a video game designer, a drone pilot, or a robotic coder to a 3D digital artist or cyber security professional,” Secretary of Education Susan Bunting said. “The day is a lot of fun, and the girls leave with valuable experiences, which we hope will influence their career exploration in the future.”

“Microsoft is proud to be a part of the 10^th Annual Delaware DigiGirlz event. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. It is especially important for us to give back to young women in technology,” said Microsoft Community Development Specialist Nick Christine. “As an organization we want to continue to ensure that the technology field is a place where everyone feels welcome. This is due in part to people traditionally viewing technology as a male dominated field.  This is not the case and we want everyone to feel welcomed and empowered with technology.”

This year’s DigiGirlz Day features several different career track explorations including game design, drones, 3D digital art and mixed reality robotic coding.  Creating 3D Jewelry, learning about phishing, virtual reality, circuitry, social media and photo/video editing are additional offerings during the event.

DigiGirlz is sponsored by Delaware’s Department of Technology and Information, Microsoft, Delaware Department of Education, Delaware Technical and Community College, Wilmington University, University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Cyber Streets, and the Delaware Center for Educational Technology.

Registration information can be found at https://2020digigirlz10yearsindelaware.eventbrite.com

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About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information

The Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state’s central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides enterprise services that enable other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions.

www.dti.delaware.gov

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