2020 Aspirations in Computing Application Season has Arrived!

2020 Aspirations in Computing Application Season has Arrived!

It’s that time of year again! 

NCWIT is accepting applications for the 2020 Aspirations in Computing Awards. Young women from Minnesota’s high schools with computing related interests are highly encouraged to apply. Application opens September 1st and closes November 5th. 

Award for AiC recipients are chosen for their demonstrated interest and achievements in computing, proven leadership ability, academic performance, and plans for post‑secondary education. To date, nearly 8,600 women have been honored with the Award. The NCWIT Award for AiC is sponsored by Apple, Bank of America, Microsoft, Motorola Solutions Foundation, and Symantec. MNAiC partners with over 50 businesses to support a year-round talent development program that for many students culminates in being selected as an award honoree. Since 2013, Minnesota has benefited from 313 State Honorees and 40 National Honorees.

We’re inviting high school educators across the state to advocate for young women in computing by generating awareness of the program within their classrooms and schools. The awards program and complementary MNAiC offerings provide an ecosystem of support for young women with computing interests.  In 2019, 82 Minnesota students and 2 educators were selected as honorees.

Six key benefits for high school educators and female students are:

  • Award recipients improve their chances to earn scholarships for college; some offered by the program 
  • Honorees are eligible to apply for summer paid internships offered by MNAiC partners and all are provided access to multiple job shadow opportunities
  • Honorees gain access to a large community of other technically inclined young women
  • Students and educators gain exclusive access to resources offered my MNAiC and NCWIT 
  • Educators endorsing one or more student applications are eligible for the Aspirations in Computing Educator Award (which provides a cash and professional development reward)

Young women who may believe that they don’t meet all the application requirements are definitely encouraged to apply. A new award category called ‘Rising Star’ was added to the MNAiC program. The new award category recognizes young women who are making strides and demonstrating strong technology potential in their school and community.

To help you amplify the Aspirations in Computing Award opportunity, we’ve prepared a guide for you to use to help students and their parents apply for the 2020 Award season. 

[DOWNLOAD]: Step-by-Step Application Guide >>>

If you have any questions, please contact Russell Fraenkel, MN Aspirations Committee, at (651) 253-9438 or russell.fraenkel@metrostate.edu.


ABOUT THE MINNESOTA ASPIRATIONS IN COMPUTING (MNAiC)

MNAiC collaborates with businesses, organizations and schools to inspire, support, and empower young women in high school to become our next, best Minnesota technology talent. Want to get engaged with the Minnesota Aspirations in Computing program? To learn more about how your organization can support the computing interests of young women in Minnesota and lead the movement to disrupt gender equality in tech, visit our website.

ABOUT NATIONAL CENTER FOR WOMEN & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a non-profit community of more than 1,100 universities, companies, non-profits, and government organizations nationwide working to increase girls’ and women’s meaningful participation in computing. NCWIT equips change leaders with resources for taking action in recruiting, retaining, and advancing women from K–12 and higher education through industry and entrepreneurial careers. To find out more, visit www.ncwit.org.