UIS Computer Science Department hosts Girl Tech camp for middle school girls

WHAT: Join the University of Illinois Springfield Computer Science Department for two days of fun exploring technology during Girl Tech 2010. Hands-on activities include programming, robotics, movie making, Photoshop, computer hardware and much more.

WHEN: Thursday, June 17 and Friday, June 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: University Hall Building (UHB) on the UIS campus

DETAILS: Studies show the number of women in higher education in computer science is falling drastically. Girl Tech is geared toward girls in middle school because interest seems to start decreasing around that age.

Some of this year’s sessions include “Spooky Alice!”, where girls can create their own ghost story using 3D objects and characters. “Explore the Robo-Jungle” will look at the world of autonomous robotics by programming a robot to hop and crawl. “Starring YOU!” will use photos taken during the fun-filled days, to create digital movies. “What's in the Box?” will let participants explore the inside of a computer and learn how they run and how all those parts fit together. “Hi-Tech Design” will allow girls to design a t-shirt from the camp to take home.

This year, Girl Tech will also include mini-sessions on a variety of “hot” computer-related topics. Some of the topics that will be explored include computer intelligence, creating virtual avatars, cyber safety in social networking and controlling the behavior of artificial life forms.

The registration fee is $25 per girl, which covers lunch both days, snacks and a participation t-shirt. To be eligible to participate, the girl must be entering 7th, 8th or 9th grade in the fall of 2010. For more information about the camp and to register visit http://csc.uis.edu/girltech2010/