XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY HOLDS FIRST-EVER “GIRLS HAVE ‘IT’ DAY”

XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY HOLDS FIRST-EVER “GIRLS HAVE ‘IT’ DAY”



According to the National Science Foundation, only 29 percent of math and computer science degrees awarded nationally are awarded to women. In 2004, the latest year for which figures are available, only 27 percent of college degrees in the U.S. were in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), down 10 percent from 1994. During those same years, the number of jobs requiring a STEM degree increased 23 percent (17 percent for non-STEM degrees). Further, surveys of women in college suggest that females have a significantly greater negative attitude towards computers and math than males.

To address these issues, Xavier College Preparatory, the all-girl Catholic high school established in 1943, will hold “Girls Have IT Day” on Friday, March 27, 2009. Developed by Xavier students in partnership with faculty in Xavier’s technology department, “Girls Have IT Day” promotes young women’s involvement in science, information technology (IT), engineering and math (STEM).

Both Xavier students and middle school girls from Diocese of Phoenix elementary schools will participate in the day’s events, with 200 middle school girls expected to attend. This unique day will begin with a presentation by Tammy Greasby, Xavier Class of 2000 graduate and a Ph.D. candidate in Bio-Statistics at the University of California, Davis. Ms. Greasby will share both her experiences as a woman in science and inspiring stories from other women in science, technology, engineering and math. Following Ms. Greasby’s lecture, the girls will participate in a hands-on, STEM-focused activity fair hosted by members of various Xavier student clubs.

“We believe that exciting young women about studying STEM skills will encourage them to be more engaged in their coursework and increasingly open to STEM-related post-secondary and professional opportunities,” said Catherine Wyman, Xavier’s Program Director for Technology. “But this engagement will benefit them no matter what their chosen field of study.”

“Xavier is committed to providing math, science and technology programming that is second to none,” said Principal Sister Joan Fitzgerald, BVM. “With math, science and technology clubs, honor societies, accelerated programs, honors and AP courses, and dual-enrollment opportunities with the Maricopa Community Colleges, our young women prepare for college coursework and future careers, but also complete projects that make a difference today.”

In 2008, Xavier was awarded the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement, a prestigious honor given to only 50 high schools nationwide (one from each state). The award honors high schools with high student success rates in AP math, science and technology courses, committed to providing students with exceptional opportunities to explore the AP Program.