WIA Gives Back: Past Conference Proceeds

The WIA conference is proud of its history of providing a platform for women to lead the conversations centered on the advancement of analytical research, development, and applications.

Proceeds from our conference have made it possible to help create a future in the field of analytics for girls and young women by providing sponsorships to the innovative programs below.

Data Science for Women Summer Camp

For two years, WIA has sponsored the Data Science for Women Summer Camp. In 2018, working with partners across the campus and within the local community, the Translational Data Analytics Institute at The Ohio State University launched a summer program that was designed to create new pathways for women in data science and analytics.

This free camp program integrates hands-on experience, team projects, and time spent with role models working in the field, to create new pathways for young women in data science and analytics.

Last year, a total of 25 young women attended, with 23 completing all 5 days of camp:

• Campers represented 18 different schools within Franklin and Delaware Counties.
• 81% of campers self-identified as underrepresented minorities.
• Over 5 days, attendees learned about the data life cycle, careers leveraging data analytics, and practical applications and technologies.
• From mentors, attendees learned about preparing for college, what being a college student is like, and the resources available for women, underrepresented minorities, and first-generation college students.

A 2017 BHEF-PWC report noted that because men “consistently outnumber women 3-to-1” in the data science and analytics field, critical actions for change were necessary to create a more diverse workforce. WIA’s mission is to provide visibility to women making an impact in the analytics space and provide a platform for them to lead the conversations around the advancements of analytical research, development, and application. The Data Science for Women Summer Camp allows WIA to continue that mission by ushering a new generation of girls into the field.

To learn more about the DSFW camp, visit go.osu.edu/DSFW18 or contact Jenna McGuire at mcguire.165@osu.edu.  

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TECH CORPS Analytics Curriculum

Founded in 1995 by Gary Beach, Publisher Emeritus of CIO Magazine and author of The U.S. Technology Skills Gap, TECH CORPS engages a nationwide network of technology volunteers in over two dozen state chapters to provide high-quality computer science learning experiences to K-12 students.

With support from WIA, TECH CORPS is developing 3 grade-band-specific lesson plans focused on data science and analytics. These lessons will be implemented through TECH CORPS’ signature programs including Techie Club (elementary schools), Techie Club 2.0 (middle school), and Computing Career Corps (high school) in Ohio for the 2019-2020 school year. In early summer 2019, WIA formed a Curriculum Development Committee of analytics professionals who have generously donated their time and expertise to the process.

WIA shares TECH CORPS belief that studying computer science provides foundational knowledge and practices that help prepare students for college and future careers and has used conference proceeds to continue to support their mission.

To learn more about TECH CORPS, visit TECHCORPs.org  or email info@techcorps.org.

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Girls Who Lead Summit

The PAST Foundation launched the Girls Who Lead (#GirlsWhoLead) project to provide positive role models, mentors, and programs for girls. The Summit supports young women pursuing careers in STEM and promotes the hopes and ambitions of the next generation of thinkers.    

The 2019 Girls Who Lead Summit called, Girls Who Lead:  Leadership Unboxed, provided 120 parents and students with the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions that centered around STEM innovation. The 3-hour program for late middle and early high school children and their parents allowed attendees to engage in interactive exploration sessions based around STEM innovation, Public Policy, Entrepreneurship, and Finance. Attendees also participated in 15-minute recording sessions with PAST Foundation CEO Annalies Corbin which focused on a live Learning Unboxed session. Small group discussions hosted by mentors and innovative leaders allowed parents and students to learn how to change the conversation about what leadership looks and sounds like.

Along with #GirlsWhoLead, WIA believes that girls represent half the future and that by supporting them, we can provide them with the experiences, opportunity, and accessibility necessary to help shape the future.

To learn more about Girls Who Lead, visit   The PAST Foundation or email info@pastinnovationlab.org

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Young Women in Tech

Young Women in Tech is a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting education among young women in the Bhutanese-Nepalese refugee community in Columbus, Ohio. In 2018, we sponsored a week-long summer camp from June 25 – June 29 for young women in the community ages 11-18.

The camp focused on basic IT fields such as cybersecurity, google apps, coding, and graphic design. The girls were taught by several professional volunteers all provided by the IT sector of Huntington National Bank. Most were exposed to these various professions for the first time and several showed interest in pursuing careers in these fields.