Students participate in IBM workshop

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A group of Texas high school junior and senior women interested in computer science spent the day at IBM, getting their "first byte" of the industry.

The program is held by the University of Texas’ First Byte: Outreach Program for Women, which gives students hands-on experience with computer technology and a feel for the industry.

Mary Esther Middleton, First Bytes Director, spent the past five years organizing the camp program. Middleton said each year they try to bring something new to the program that the students have not been exposed to yet.

"I think this program teaches them how to do what they really want to, how to find their passion, if it's in math or science, and how to find a career that fits with what their interests are and how computer science can play a role in that," Middleton said.

The program allows high school women in Texas to participate in interactive activities with corporate companies.

"It's been a lot of fun," said Jasmine Paterson, a junior at Cy-Woods High School in Cyprus. " Google came and talked to us yesterday, and we played around with Google Maps and we got to program."

The students hear from the program’s corporate sponsors; Lockheed Martin, Google, Amazon, Cisco, IBM and the Texas Workforce Commission.

"Lockheed Martin came and did team building activity and that was fun," Paterson said.

Emily Russell, a UT student and program assistant, said she participated in the program and thought being a counselor would be a great way to return the favor.

"I think that it's such a fascinating field, there are so many opportunities and we need so many more people," said Russell.

Russell said this year’s program was more hands-on and participants built catapult-type things with Lockheed Martin, where they to experienced what it’s like to be an engineer.

Before the workshop, Dripping Spring student, Michelle Pan said she already had an interest in computer science, and designed her own Web site for Twilight fans.

Pan said she has fun working on her Web site because she gets to communicate with fans all over the world.

"I’ve gotten e-mails from people in Croatia and European countries, and Australia and places I would never imagine I would have friends in," said Pan.

Below is an interview with many of the girls attending the camp, as well as an interview with the organizer:

While at IBM, students worked in small groups using Linux Operating System and got a tour of IBM’s environmentally friendly machines.

"[IBM] tries to have a business and do in the the most green way possible," said Ann Strosaker, DEMO Central Manager.

Middleton said women can add a little flavor to the computer science industry, and hopes the program raises the number of women in computer science, math and engineering fields.

"I think that, as women, we have a unique perspective that we can offer to problem solving, and our contribution can be as much as anybody else, so however you want to apply it you can do that," said Middleton.

Middleton said about 200 high school women from all over Texas applied for 60 available positions in the week-long workshop which provides free housing and meals, as well as a taste of the computer science industry.

The program provides students with the opportunity students leave with more knowlege of the industry than they came to the camp with.

"I really enjoy seeing them on the last day of camp when they meet up with their families," said Middleton.