Women Prove Geek is Chic at Boys & Girls Club

At the mere age of 12, Melanie Martinez is a force to be reckoned with.

A natural leader and already a respected mentor of younger girls at the Boys and Girls Club, she carries herself with the poise of a young professional as she speaks of her passion for social sciences.

“It’s fun to know all about the past,” she said. “But I also really want to help people by being a psychologist for kids.”

Clearly a bright and innovative young mind, it seems she has insight to every question asked of her.

However, when asked to name a favorite female scientist of mathematician, Melanie is at a loss.

“It’s pretty sexist,” Melanie said as she questioned the lack of women in the fields of science and technology.

Melanie’s budding frustration is that of many women due to the fact that though women comprise half of the U.S work force, they hold only 25 percent of STEM jobs (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

In an effort to deter such dreary statistics, the , in partnership with CA Technologies, invited 140 local girls to the South San Francisco clubhouse Tuesday to take part in “Tech Girls Rock,” an initiative to engage girls in information technology and tech-related activities.

Hoping to instill interest and offer information about possible tech careers, the day of workshops included lessons such as Lego robotics and CPU construction.

Tech Girls Rock is aimed at girls aged 9-16.

At first glance, Melanie said she was somewhat intimidated.

“It’s something that a lot of girls are shy about,” she said. “They have never had the tools to fix a computer, so they don’t get the chance to do that.”

But with the help of fellow tech novices and volunteers form the local CA Technologies office, those fears were quickly dispelled.

“I’m not alone,” Melanie said. “Other girls haven’t done this stuff either, but we get to work as a team.”

Melanie’s initial hesitation is all too common, said Sharon Dolan, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North San Mateo County.

“In terms of STEM,” she said. “Boys are more encouraged to participate in those subject than girls are.”

Due to a shortage of women as tech role models, particularly women of color, girls lack the encouragement to thrive in STEM subjects, Dolan said.

“My dad once told me, ‘Don’t worry too much about math and science because girls aren’t as good in those subjects,’” she said. “If someone would have said ‘You can do this,’ I think I’d like to have been an engineer.”

When CA proposed the tech engagement program, Dolan immediately jumped at the opportunity to hold a girl-specific event.

“There’s a big difference with how girls engage,” she said.

While in a general setting boys tend to take a hands-on approach to tech activities while girls stand back, events such as Tech Girls Rock allow girls to take the lead.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of North San Mateo County is the fifth Boys & Girls Club in the nation to hold Tech Girls Rock after CA Technologies gave a $1 million contribution to hold workshops at clubs throughout the country.

“At the end of the day, it’s one thing to write a check, but we really wanted to get in there,” said CA Technologies Director of Community Affairs Erica Christensen.

So far workshops have spurred a lot of excitement and have demystified tech tools for many girls who at one point were uncomfortable with IT activities, Christensen said.

“A lot of girls aren’t encouraged to go in that direction and that needs to change,” Christensen said.

The advancement of women in technology is vital to the United States remaining a global competitor.

“The U.S is suffering in this area,” she said. “Our country will suffer greatly if we can’t keep up.”

With the ever-increasing industry, girls must retain tech skills in order to be successful in he future job market, Christensen said.

“Technology is such a part of everything now,” she said. “It is going to be a part of every job everywhere you go.”

According to the Economic and Statistics Administration, women in STEM jobs also receive 33 percent more earnings compared to those who hold non-STEM jobs.

If women do not reach equal ground in the tech industry it will not only be a loss for the country, but for future innovation, Christensen said.

“It’s a great loss to everybody,” she said. “These girls have a lot to offer.”

Christensen said she hopes to make Girls Tech Rock will soon become an annual event in order to give confidence to all potential tech girls.

The single day of tech-infused fun inspired Melanie to consider a career as a computer repair technician.

“Anyone can be working with technology,” Melanie said. “Even if they’re a girl.”