Girls Urged To “Go Tech” (NAPSA)—No matter where you live or what you do, math, science and technology play an important role in everyday life. Reading the stock market pages in your daily newspaper, turning on the ignition in your car and depositing money in an ATMarejust a few examples of math, science and technology that exist all around us. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 60 percent of all current jobs require some form of technology skills. Additional studies show that most girls lose interest in math, science and technology by the age of 12, and as a result, reduce their chances for most future jobs. In responseto these concerning statistics, Girl Scouts of the USA has partnered with the Ad Council to create “Girls Go Tech,” a national, multimedia public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to encourage younggirls to develop an early interest in math, science and technology and maintain that interest throughout their lives. The campaign is part of Girl Scouts’ ongoing effort to prepare and encourage today’s girls to seize the technological opportunities and challenges of the 21st century, and it includes a new, interactive Web site, www.girlsgotech.org, which has activities for girls to keep their interests in math, science and tech- nology alive. The site offers games, quizzes, facts and various other activities to educate and engage girls. “Careers in math, science and technology are among the fastest growing and most highly paid in our society. But, many girls do not get the opportunity to compete for a 50 hi os fae i, 4 a, = Girls between the ages of 8 and 11 are being urged to get into the math and science equation. these jobs, having not completed preparatory schooling in these areas,” says Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA. Cloninger offers some tips to help parents and teachers encourage girls to explore math, science and technology all around them. 1. Remember that you are a role model, so use technology in yourdaily life. For example, share with girls what you do at work and show them how science, math and technology are important in yourjob. 2. Whether at home, school or at the library, spend time sitting down with girls at a computer. Use that time to visit Web sites they might find interesting. 3. Encourage girls to take math, science and technology classes as they enter middle school and support them in those decisions. 4. Use your math skills to show girls how to save money from their allowances so they can buy a special item. To learn more about Girl Scouts’ math, science and technology opportunities for girls, visit www.girlsgotech.org.
