2007 Global Marathon
For, By and About Women in Engineering
March 22-23

FAQs

What is the global marathon?
At any and all times during a 24-hour period a “conversation” will take place somewhere in the world on issues for, by and about women in engineering. The marathon is a combination of live Internet chats and teleconferences and all are accessible to a worldwide audience.

Who organizes the global marathon?
The National Engineers Week Foundation created the marathon and is the headquarters and facilitator. Lenovo and Verizon Business are providing additional support for the 2007 event.

Why is the marathon in March?
The marathon is an outgrowth of an Engineers Week program called Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day which occurs in February. Agilent Technologies, Inc., Motorola Foundation, and the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation are sponsors of Girl Day. The marathon is being held to coincide with Women’s History Month.

Why a marathon for, by and about women in engineering?
Engineers Week partners are concerned about diversity, quality and numbers of engineers within the profession. Fewer than 10 percent of US engineers are women though they are a majority on college campuses. The marathon will:

• provide a forum to share information for, by and about women in engineering for a variety of groups engaged in related issues;
• highlight to employers that women are still underrepresented in engineering;
• make many publics aware of existing programs and opportunities for girls and women
• help dispel myths about women & girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM);
• provide a unifying event for groups working towards recognition, recruitment and retention of women in engineering,
• Increase awareness of STEM issues among pre-college, college, and young career women, and help to address issues of concern such as retaining women in college engineering programs and the workplace; and,
• provide opportunities to host local, live outreach events and connect them globally.

How are presenters selected
Presenters are all volunteers. They share expertise and a passion for what they do and want to help mentor others. Anyone interested in presenting can contact the National Engineers Week Foundation. Presenters are responsible for selecting and presenting their topics. The Foundation will schedule the presentation and arrange for the live connection.

How do I participate?
You can review the schedule of presentations by clicking here. You will notice that the schedule indicates whether a presentation is by telephone or Internet and how you can connect in real time.

The National Engineers Week Foundation works hard to publicize the marathon but we can always use help. You can help us spread the news. Think of your professional, civic and education networks and let them know about the marathon.

The marathon is also an opportunity to create a simple local event that can be connected globally. For instance, if you work with Girl Scouts, host a meeting during one of the marathon sessions and then continue a discussion when the virtual event is over. In the evening, Girl Scouts and other organizations that unite girls and their caretakers might be open to having a get-together and participating by phone or Internet. Make it a party.

Research shows that high school girls rely first on their parents – particularly mothers - for career advice. Contact moms you know and invite them and their daughters to participate in the marathon. Consider meeting with them around one of the marathon discussions at someone’s home or where girls like to be – a local coffee hangout if you plan to connect to a marathon internet discussion – and then continue a discussion when the virtual one is over.

Let your local public library know about the marathon. Groups have successfully arranged with libraries to dedicate computers in their technology center for a marathon session. The library can help you publicize the event and you can help facilitate discussions among patrons. Consider donating a copy of Changing Our World: True Stories of Women Engineers to the library. The book is available in the product catalog at www.eweek.org.

School guidance counselors might consider bringing in girls interested in math and science to participate in a marathon session during the school day. Suggest to a local counselor that you join a small group of girls in his/her office for a session and then discuss related careers. Consider donating a copy of Changing Our World to the career guidance bookshelf.

If you and others volunteer to work with students in your communities, consider getting together in person for a marathon session that discusses effective volunteer outreach. These include how to work with Girl Scouts and guidance counselors as well as recent study findings in girls’ attitudes and interests.

I am interested in several of the presentations but cannot participate at those times. What can I do?
Many of the teleconferences are recorded and accessible after the marathon and the Internet presentations are also archived for later reference.

Can questions be received in advance of my presentation?
Some presenters will take questions in advance of their live presentation but will answer during the marathon.

Do audience members need to register in advance?
No.