Tech Day Camp

5/19/2017

The Americas, Guyana, Berbice High School, New Amsterdam, Guyana

Over 50 school girls from six schools in Region 6 participated in a Tech Day Camp organized by the NFMU in observance of International Girls in ICT Day. This was the third of five Tech Day Camps which will be held across the country to raise awareness of gender gap in in ICTs and encourage young girls to consider careers in the ICT sector.

The Tech Day Camp featured a presentation by a female ICT engineer from the National Frequency Management Unit, an introduction to critical thinking, problem solving and algorithm development. The girls were also involved in identifying problems that they face as students and devising way that technology can help to solve these problems.   

Girls were enthused by the presentation of the ICT professional. They were interested in the different careers possible in ICTs and also the flexible schedule that an ICT profession can allow. Additionally, the girls wanted information on what is required to start an ICT career.

The participants were encouraged to like the “Girls in ICT Guyana” Facebook page and post questions and comments all year round.

One of the major challenges highlighted by the students was the inability to do IT as a CSEC subject because of the stream that they chose. Most of the schools do not offer Information Technology to all students.

The female teachers who accompanied the girls were also very interested in the presentations and requested that the team visit individual schools and educate both students and staff on the power and impact of ICTs.

Members of the team made note of the queries and in applicable cases pointed participants to resources that could be helpful to them.