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

To: Middle and High School Teachers or Administrators

From: Grace Lin, MIT Women's Initiative Co-Director

I would like to inform you 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. Each January, enthusiastic women from the MIT School of Engineering are selected to visit middle and high schools nationwide to give presentations to young women about the excitement of careers in engineering. These presentations are free of charge for both the student presenters and the school districts visited.

Our presentations take place only during January, during which each pair of presenters fly down to certain school districts where they stay for a week. Every day, they visit one or two schools and give around four or five presentations. The presentations will range from 60-90 minutes and are geared toward an all female audience of 30-60 students. Each presentation is unique, as every pair of presenters decides the best approach for their students. However, they all include some common elements, including (but not limited to) an explanation of what engineering actually is, a stereotype-busting discussion of engineering, an interactive activity that teaches basic engineering concepts, and a question and answer session.

More information on our program can be found at http://hkn.mit.edu/wi/home/index.php. If you are interested in bringing this program to your school district and can find at least 5 other interested schools in your area at which we can present, our online application (as well as guidelines for applying, the answers to some frequently asked questions, and other information) can be found off of our website. If you have any questions or concerns about the program, please do not hesitate to contact us at wi-directors@mit.edu.

Thank you!

Grace Lin, Vicky Liu, Anna Michel

MIT Women's Initiative Directors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
wi-directors@mit.edu

SEE “Open Letter: Seeking Program Sponsors”