An Open Letter from the Directors, MIT Women’s Initiative

MIT Women’s Initiative Program Looking for Sponsors
Engineering Students Visit Middle and High Schools

We are writing to you to ask for your sponsorship of a unique program aimed at increasing the number of women pursuing careers in engineering and computer science. The Women's Initiative is run entirely by students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Each January, enthusiastic women from the MIT School of Engineering are selected to go to middle and high schools nationwide to speak with young women about the excitement of careers in engineering. The presentations include activities to engage students in thinking about engineering concepts, demonstrations of projects on which the presenters have worked, and information about the fields of engineering and the life of an engineering student.

The primary goals of the Women's Initiative are to:

• Teach students about the field of engineering and challenge its common stereotypes.
• Encourage school aged women to pursue studies and careers in engineering.
• Empower and motivate young women to take the most challenging math and science courses before college.

The first six years of the Women's Initiative have been a terrific success with presentations being given to over 10,000 young women. Two students are selected to travel to a school district where they will present 15-25 times during their week’s stay. Each trip costs an average of $2000 for travel, for two students. An additional $2000 is needed each year, for training sessions, presentation materials, correspondence, and publicity. We are currently looking to raise funds for a minimum of ten trips for 2006, or a minimum of $22,000. All companies that financially sponsor the Women's Initiative will have their logo put on all brochures and presentations and at the end of the year's program, an annual report will be sent to the company representative. In addition, if the company wishes, we will work to send speakers to areas where the company resides.

If your company is unable to help financially, you can still help out by donating small gifts bearing your company logo (i.e. T-shirts, pens, notepads). Our presentations are interactive and students are involved with hands-on activities and brainstorming exercises throughout the presentations. Giving away small gifts is a powerful incentive for students to follow the presentations closely and ask questions. We would appreciate any products you would like to donate for this purpose.

For more information about this program, please visit http://hkn.mit.edu/wi/.

We look forward to your consideration of sponsoring the MIT Women's Initiative. If you have questions or would like to sponsor us, please contact Anna Michel at wi-directors@mit.edu or by phone at 508-289-2429.

Sincerely,

Anna Michel, Vicky Liu, & Grace Lin
Women's Initiative Directors

SEE Information for Teachers and Educators: How to Apply for a Visit