IBM EX.I.T.E. Camps IBM EX.I.T.E. Camps introduce girls to the wonder and promise of technical careers ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives/grant/education/camp.shtml “EX.I.T.E. Camps make math and science fun and interesting for young women by giving them hands-on experience with technology. These camps can lead women to pursue engineering and technology careers and allow them to be not just consumers of technology, but creators of technology as well.” Katherine Hegmann Executive Staff Integration Executive India Technology has already transformed the world more dramatically than any other revolution in history. Yet, at a time when opportunity has never been greater, women are retreating from the fields of science and technology in alarming numbers. Studies tell us that many girls begin steering away from math and science as early as middle school, when they unknowingly make decisions about courses that might carry life-long con- sequences. Without the necessary math and science background, their chances for success in pursuing an engineering or technical degree are limited, along with the fulfilling careers that these fields might offer. Sparking imaginations since 1999 In the summer of 1999, IBM initiated a pilot technology camp staffed by IBM women volunteers with technical backgrounds. The goal was simple: spark the interest of girls entering sev- enth and eighth grades in the fall so that they continue taking the math and science classes that will position them for future careers in these fields. Since 1999, more than 7,500 girls have attended IBM EX.I.T.E. Camps throughout the world. The experience focuses on math and science careers. EX.I.T.E. attendees are matched through IBM MentorPlace with IBM employees who offer online advice throughout the school year. “We deliberately reach out to girls who are on the cusp of interest—students who show an interest, but not an apti- tude yet in these areas. Many are young women from diverse ethnic and academic backgrounds who may not have been exposed to technology at home or at school,” continued Litow. The IBM MentorPlace® program and local teacher involvement ensure that the girls will continue to be motivated after the EX.I.T.E. Camp ends. IBM is helping to further encourage students’ interests in math and science after the one-week experience by pairing them with IBM e-mentors who communicate with the girls online during the school year as part of the IBM MentorPlace program. For more information on IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs, visit ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives or call 914-499-1900. The pilot program has grown to a full- fledged initiative called IBM EX.I.T.E. Camps (EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering). Since its inception, 85 percent of the more than 6,400 girls who participated in an EX.I.T.E. Camp indicated that they would consider pursuing an engineer- ing or technical-related degree when they go to college. EX.I.T.E. Camps: Bridging the Digital Divide and fostering careers Over the course of the one-week day camp, the young women learn how to create a Web site, take apart and reas- semble laptop computers, make ice cream using liquid nitrogen, program robots and participate in a variety of exciting and interactive engineering and science projects. “These camps immerse a student in the excitement of a rapidly expanding universe of technical wonders,” said Stanley S. Litow, vice president, IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs. Comments from EXITE Camp graduates: • “I will go to bed early tonight so I won’t notice that time is passing slow until tomorrow morning.” —Amsterdam, Netherlands • “Women have power in science!” —Rochester, MN • ““It was a very rich event and we learned that technology is every- where even if we can’t see it first.” —Austria, Vienna • “We are more advanced in technol- ogy than I thought.” —Austin, TX • “Today was the ‘bestest’ day ever even though there’s no such thing! It was great!” —Toronto, Canada © Copyright IBM Corporation 2008 Printed in the United States of America 05-08 All Rights Reserved References in this publication to IBM products or services do not imply that IBM intends to make them available in all countries in which IBM operates. IBM, the IBM logo and MentorPlace are trade- marks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.