Although women pioneered the computer industry alongside men, they were and remain under-represented in this promising field. Empowering young women to shape society’s technological future on equal footing is behind Fairfield University’s Technology Camp for Girls. The computer camp is designed to equip 25 female students entering the seventh grade with lifelong computer skills, a solid foundation in computer technology, and a strong interest in advanced study in high school and college. The one-week summer camp will be conducted in the Bannow Science Center, a state-of-the-art facility on the University campus. The camp will be directed by Dr. Michael P. Zabinski, Professor of Engineering at Fairfield University. Dr. Zabinski is the founder and executive director of America’s original computer camp, the National Computer Camps (NCC). The Technology Camp for Girls will be staffed by female computer science majors currently enrolled in Fairfield University, as well as experienced NCC counselors. These young women will serve as role models, fostering intergenerational relationships and gender-affirming identities with the adolescent campers. The camp involves women in the planning and implementation. The participating school districts namely, Bethany/Woodbridge, Bridgeport, Hamden, Milford, New Haven and Norwalk each name one female liaison teacher. Along with the director of the program, this group of liaison teachers plan the project. The teachers also assist in recruiting participants from their districts. Beyond the summer camp experience, computer clubs will be organized by the liaison teachers, which will give participating girls and their classmates an opportunity for further study – encouraging all to position themselves for future leadership roles in technology.

The camp will utilize a “camper friendly” teaching methodology, including “learning by doing” (rather than through a classroom/chalkboard style), a favorable 5:1 camper-to-staff ratio, good practice exercises, and a wide-range of programming topics. This approach will result in the achievement of the following objectives: 1) to stimulate interest among girls in computer technology; 2) to offer instruction in computer programming and provide a suitable basis for subsequent study in high school; 3) to teach age-appropriate application software, covering topics such as graphics and animation; 4) to familiarize campers with the Internet and teach campers how to write their own home page; 5) to encourage both creativity and logical analysis by providing opportunities for campers to explore, discover, and problem-solve; and 6) to provide a proper balance between educational and recreational computer usage.

The one week camp will be conducted July 28 to August 1, 2008. The daily schedule will consist of 2 hours of programming instruction in BASIC, 2 hours of software application instruction, 2 hours of web page design and 1˝ hours of organized computer free time. Computer programming instruction will be available in the BASIC language for all levels of background. Web page design will consist of learning HTML, writing a home page, acquiring a free domain, uploading a personal home page and enhancing the Web page with graphics and animation. Application software includes Flash and PhotoShop. There will be no need for textbooks, lectures, or blackboards. The curriculum will consist of worksheets and each camper will have her own computer. The distinct advantages of this learning format are that it does not require a homogeneous group of campers, and each camper can advance at her own pace as she advances through the worksheets. Organized computer-free time will permit campers to use the computers for recreation and to play educational games, surf the Internet, or continue with their programming projects.

Only girls who will enter 7th grade in September 2008 and who attend (or will attend) the designated middle school in their town are eligible. No computer background is required. Beyond the summer camp, participating girls agree to enroll in their school's computer club in September 2008 and are expected to assume leadership roles. Campers must complete a form to to indicate their commitment. Click here to view/print the camper Commitent Form.

The participating towns are Bethany/Woodbridge, Bridgeport, Hamden, Milford, New Haven and Norwalk.
The following is a list of the designated middle schools and their liaison teachers:

	Middle School	Liaison Teacher
Bethany/Woodbridge	Bethany Middle School	Ms. Carolyn Stanley
Bridgeport	Wilbur L. Cross Middle School	Ms. Stephanie Corso
Hamden	Hamden Middle School	Mr. Dean DelGiudice
Milford	Harborside Middle School	Ms. Eileen Doyle, Ms. Jan Wislocki
New Haven	Troup 21st Century Magent School	Mr. Robert Pinsker
Norwalk	West Rocks Middle School	Ms. Katy Sikes

How to Apply

The liaison teachers from each participating town will select the participants from their school. The campers' parents, the liaison teachers and the principals need to sign the registration form. The health form must be signed by a parent and a physician. The commitment form needs to be signed by the camper, a parent, the liaison teacher and the principal of the middle school. These forms are available on line (click the links at the top of this page). The registration, health and commitment forms are collected by the liason teachers and are then forwarded to the project director.

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