Oct 5 2011

Future for Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

As I read the Washington Post article by Anna Holmes entitled, “Technically, science will be less lonely for women when girls are spurred early,” I felt my heart grow heavy when I encountered the following quote from Jennifer Skaggs, a University of Kentucky education researcher: “We are back to the beauty versus brains saga, in which girls entering middle school feel forced to ask themselves, ‘Do I want to be smart in math, or do I want to be seen as attractive?’” Skaggs, who authored the June 2011 paper, “Making the Blind to See: Balancing STEM Identity with Gender Identity,” is also quoted as saying, “If a female is seen as technically competent, she is assumed to be socially incompetent. And it works the other way around.”

Exciting the imagination and potential of girls to pursue technical fields

Exciting the imagination and potential of girls to pursue technical fields

I can’t believe that, in 2011, we still haven’t found a way to encourage girls to be confident in pursuing science, math, and technology courses in middle school and high school. I was in high school 20 years ago, and it never crossed my mind that I would not be popular, attractive, or boys would not like me because I was smart and took every advanced math and science course that was available. I was excited and pleased to let everyone in my high school know that I planned to be an engineer and attend one of the top 25 engineering schools in the country. Where have we, as a society, gone wrong when, 20 years later, we actually have fewer girls pursuing these fields?

I feel fortunate to be able to represent Microsoft as the company’s lead for Women in Research, Science, and Engineering. As I travel the world and meet with amazing researchers, I feel confident that we will solve this problem in the next decade. I would like to highlight a couple of projects that are taking on this challenge:

  • Computer Game Design: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Addressing Underrepresentation in Computing is a project being conducted by Jill Denner at ETR Associates and Michael Mateas, Noah Wardrip-Fruin, and Teale Fristoe (faculty members and students) from the University of California at Santa Cruz Computer Science Department’s computer game design lab. Research suggests that many children, especially girls, want to create games based on dynamic relationships, social interactions, and storytelling. But game creation tools for beginners have not offered support for game mechanics that would enable such games. The project team’s work is Kodu AI Lab, which is a set of extensions to Microsoft Kodu Game Lab that enables the design of just such games. Targeted at middle-school girls, the team hopes to foster girls’ interest in computer technologies.
  • The Future Science Leaders program is led by Katherine Blumdell, Oxford University, for early-career women researchers in physics, math, and computer-science fields. The objective is to explore challenges that scientists face today, techniques for scientists to succeed in research, and to educate today’s and tomorrow’s scientists. The speakers at the 2010 workshop included Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the Nobel Laureate William D. Phillips from Maryland, and Professor Alyssa Goodman from Harvard. The program was funded, in part, by a Royal Society prize that Blumdell was awarded last year (given in honor of Rosalind Franklin, who pioneered research in DNA) for the promotion of women in sciences. After attending the workshop, each program participant presents her research at two high schools (one in her university city and one in her home town, to avoid excessive travel costs). The benefit: high-school students get to attend a talk by a young scientist who can be a role model—particularly for young women—and spark student interest in the sciences. In addition, the young scientists gain useful experience in speaking about their research.

Encouraging women in the pursuit of computer science education is important to us at Microsoft Research. We offer support through the following two Microsoft Research Connections programs.

  • The Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship Program is a one-year scholarship program for outstanding women graduate students and is designed to help increase the number of women pursuing a PhD in computer science, electrical engineering, or mathematics. This program supports women in the second year of their graduate studies. Women who are interested in this scholarship must apply during their first year of graduate studies. We began accepting applications on August 16. To be considered, all applications must be submitted by Thursday, October 6, 2011, 11:59 P.M. Pacific Time.
  • The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship Program is a two-year fellowship for outstanding women and men in their third and fourth years of PhD graduate studies in the United States or Canada, with a research focus in computer science, mathematics, or electrical engineering. This program supports women and men in their third and fourth years of PhD graduate studies. We began accepting applications for 2012 on August 16. To be considered, all applications must be submitted by the office of the university department chair by Thursday, October 6, 2011, 11:59 P.M. Pacific Time.

In the coming months, we will highlight projects and programs that Microsoft Research Connections will support to cultivate the next generation of women professionals in research, science, and engineering around the world.

—Rane Johnson, Principal Research Director, Microsoft Research Connections

Learn More

Oct 5 2011

Future for Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

As I read the Washington Post article by Anna Holmes entitled, “Technically, science will be less lonely for women when girls are spurred early,” I felt my heart grow heavy when I encountered the following quote from Jennifer Skaggs, a University of Kentucky education researcher: “We are back to the beauty versus brains saga, in which girls entering middle school feel forced to ask themselves, ‘Do I want to be smart in math, or do I want to be seen as attractive?’” Skaggs, who authored the June 2011 paper, “Making the Blind to See: Balancing STEM Identity with Gender Identity,” is also quoted as saying, “If a female is seen as technically competent, she is assumed to be socially incompetent. And it works the other way around.”

Exciting the imagination and potential of girls to pursue technical fields

Exciting the imagination and potential of girls to pursue technical fields

I can’t believe that, in 2011, we still haven’t found a way to encourage girls to be confident in pursuing science, math, and technology courses in middle school and high school. I was in high school 20 years ago, and it never crossed my mind that I would not be popular, attractive, or boys would not like me because I was smart and took every advanced math and science course that was available. I was excited and pleased to let everyone in my high school know that I planned to be an engineer and attend one of the top 25 engineering schools in the country. Where have we, as a society, gone wrong when, 20 years later, we actually have fewer girls pursuing these fields?

I feel fortunate to be able to represent Microsoft as the company’s lead for Women in Research, Science, and Engineering. As I travel the world and meet with amazing researchers, I feel confident that we will solve this problem in the next decade. I would like to highlight a couple of projects that are taking on this challenge:

  • Computer Game Design: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Addressing Underrepresentation in Computing is a project being conducted by Jill Denner at ETR Associates and Michael Mateas, Noah Wardrip-Fruin, and Teale Fristoe (faculty members and students) from the University of California at Santa Cruz Computer Science Department’s computer game design lab. Research suggests that many children, especially girls, want to create games based on dynamic relationships, social interactions, and storytelling. But game creation tools for beginners have not offered support for game mechanics that would enable such games. The project team’s work is Kodu AI Lab, which is a set of extensions to Microsoft Kodu Game Lab that enables the design of just such games. Targeted at middle-school girls, the team hopes to foster girls’ interest in computer technologies.
  • The Future Science Leaders program is led by Katherine Blumdell, Oxford University, for early-career women researchers in physics, math, and computer-science fields. The objective is to explore challenges that scientists face today, techniques for scientists to succeed in research, and to educate today’s and tomorrow’s scientists. The speakers at the 2010 workshop included Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the Nobel Laureate William D. Phillips from Maryland, and Professor Alyssa Goodman from Harvard. The program was funded, in part, by a Royal Society prize that Blumdell was awarded last year (given in honor of Rosalind Franklin, who pioneered research in DNA) for the promotion of women in sciences. After attending the workshop, each program participant presents her research at two high schools (one in her university city and one in her home town, to avoid excessive travel costs). The benefit: high-school students get to attend a talk by a young scientist who can be a role model—particularly for young women—and spark student interest in the sciences. In addition, the young scientists gain useful experience in speaking about their research.

Encouraging women in the pursuit of computer science education is important to us at Microsoft Research. We offer support through the following two Microsoft Research Connections programs.

  • The Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship Program is a one-year scholarship program for outstanding women graduate students and is designed to help increase the number of women pursuing a PhD in computer science, electrical engineering, or mathematics. This program supports women in the second year of their graduate studies. Women who are interested in this scholarship must apply during their first year of graduate studies. We began accepting applications on August 16. To be considered, all applications must be submitted by Thursday, October 6, 2011, 11:59 P.M. Pacific Time.
  • The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship Program is a two-year fellowship for outstanding women and men in their third and fourth years of PhD graduate studies in the United States or Canada, with a research focus in computer science, mathematics, or electrical engineering. This program supports women and men in their third and fourth years of PhD graduate studies. We began accepting applications for 2012 on August 16. To be considered, all applications must be submitted by the office of the university department chair by Thursday, October 6, 2011, 11:59 P.M. Pacific Time.

In the coming months, we will highlight projects and programs that Microsoft Research Connections will support to cultivate the next generation of women professionals in research, science, and engineering around the world.

—Rane Johnson, Principal Research Director, Microsoft Research Connections

Learn More

May 26 2011

Opportunity for a Leader to help Transform Education in Redmond, Kirkland and Sammamish

I have the opportunity to serve as Board of Trustee for an amazing organization the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.  Our goal is to ensure every student in Redmond, Kirkland and Sammamish communities are succesful in their future work and life.  To do this we work closely with the Lake Washington School District and ensure we are meeting the financial needs and gaps in the budget to esnure we are the best school district in the state.  That all the necessary programs have the necessary funding to be succesful.  We have an opening for an interim executive director to help us take the organization to the next level and ensure we fund the critical programs needed for the 2011-2012 school year!  If you are interested read the details below and forward to anyone you believe would be a great fit.  Thanks so much!

Lake Washington Schools Foundation-Interim Executive Director Job Description

Schools foundations are established to be a catalyst for raising funds and mobilize community support within their school districts.  Foundations can reach into the community — to the parents, businesses, leaders, and the change agents — and inspire them to support with their dollars, skills and expertise the most pressing needs for the students.  And in doing so, they not only give the students a greater chance of achieving their optimal personal success, but they make their communities stronger and more vibrant and help grow the local economy and job base.

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation (the Foundation) seeks an experienced, Interim Executive Director to develop and grow the Foundation into a driving force that can better financially support the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). The Interim Executive Director is responsible for partnering with the Board of Trustees, District Administration and the community to focus on fundraising, donor cultivation, communications, and raising community awareness of the foundation.  The Foundation is searching for an exceptional professional who is committed to the mission and capable of building the long-term growth and sustainability of the organization.  The Interim Executive Director is eligible to apply for the Executive Director position.

About the Lake Washington Schools Foundation
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Established in 2005 by community members, along with the District Superintendent, the Foundation is dedicated to bringing together parents, businesses and leaders of the Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish communities to support academic excellence and success for all its students.

Mission: LWSF raises funds to support academic excellence and success for all students in the LWSD.
Vision: Each student in the LWSD will receive an education that ensures future success.  In doing so, we sustain economic vitality and enrich our community’s quality of life.
Funding Priorities:
• Equal Access to Educational Opportunities: Provide resources to help all LWSD students receive equal access to critical academic experiences and enriching learning opportunities
• Quality Teaching & Leadership: Fund professional development, training and mentoring opportunities that support LWSD teachers and leaders in offering an academically rigorous education to all students
• Future Ready Skills: Provide financial support for developing skills and learning opportunities to prepare LWSD students for their future success in work and life.

About the Lake Washington School District
Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is located between Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains, to the east of Seattle. LWSD is the 5th largest public school district in the State. Its 24,000 students are served by 31 elementary schools, 12 junior highs and 8 high schools in the Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish communities.

Position Overview
The Interim Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Foundation and is responsible for providing overall leadership to the organization. The Interim ED also acts as the Foundation’s primary spokesperson.  This position reports to the President(s) of the Executive Committee of the 9-20 member volunteer Board of Trustees and serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Trustees and leads the Board committees.

The Interim Executive Director will focus on raising $200,000 in the next three to six months, grow the corporate and individual donor base, write grants and identify new grant opportunities, mobilize the Foundation Advisory Council, build and execute fundraising plans, raise community awareness, and execute the strategic development plan.  The Executive Director is expected to increase the Foundation’s fundraising to more than $1,000,000 annually and be a strategic partner in helping LWSD achieve its vision.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the Interim Executive Director
• Resource Development (60%): administer internal organization plans to meet grant deliverables and fundraising goals, grant writing, grants management, donor cultivation, event strategy and planning.
• Administration, Fiscal Management & Operations (15%): provide strategic leadership and drive the execution of LWSF mission and vision.
• Community development and relationship building (25%): serve as the primary contact to funders, partners, LW school district and collaborating agencies. Raise awareness of the Foundation in Redmond, Kirkland and Sammamish communities.

Resource Development (60%):
• With the Resource Development Committee designs, implements and manages all fundraising activities including annual giving, endowment and capital campaigns, special projects, Trustee fundraising training and other solicitations.
• Manages all strategies and activities for donor cultivation, solicitation, and relations.
• Secures funding from individual donors, corporations and foundations.
• With the Grant Committee, works with current grantors and builds relationships and identifies new grant opportunities for 2011-2012 school year. Grant activities include managing current grants, relationships and reporting to current grantors, and developing, writing, and overseeing new grants in alignment with Funding Priorities.
• Works with Treasurer and Foundation staff on donor and gift record-keeping.
• Cultivates positive volunteer and donor relations through e-mail/phone correspondence, grant reports and program visits.

Administration, Fiscal Management & Operations (15%):
• Partners with the District Superintendent and administrators to support existing programs and identify new programs consistent with the mission of the Foundation.
• Works with the Board in the development of all strategic and operational planning, as well as goal-setting and monitoring activities.
• Partners with the Superintendent and District leadership, community groups and education supporters to implement, sustain and execute the Foundation mission.
• Provides written monthly ED report, attends monthly Trustee and Executive Committee meetings, and coordinates staff reports.

Marketing, Community Development and Relationship Building (25%):
• Maintains relationships with funders, key political and community partners, and primary collaborators — community based organizations, and partner schools — to build a base of potential supporters and donors.
• Serves as spokesperson, maintains and expands awareness/effective relationships with the District administration, teachers, parents, business community, media and other leaders.
• Expands marketing efforts and consistently represents the Foundation’s image and brand.
• Collaborates with Lake Washington PTSA, service organizations, municipalities, community groups and other organizations to support the efforts of the Foundation
• Works closely with the Marketing and Communications Committee to refine and execute communications and marketing plans and communicates vision and mission to stakeholders through the Foundation website, newsletters, and community based media channels.

Desired Experience & Qualifications:
• A minimum of three years professional, non-profit fundraising experience.
• Proven experience in designing, managing and executing fund development programs.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience with developing and maintaining productive working relationships with board members, donors, and groups such as parents, administrators and faculty.
• Excellent presentation skills; communicates effectively at senior levels of engagement and with external audiences (as well as press) including press and non-traditional media
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Local community connections are preferred; a willingness to immerse in the community is required.
• Strong technology skills including competence in Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 and Microsoft Office 2003-10; an operating knowledge of online QuickBooks and eTapestry is highly desirable.

Compensation
The Lake Washington Schools Foundation offers a competitive compensation package in accordance with education and experience.  The salary range is $68,000 – $80,000 depending upon education and experience.

Timeline
The application review process will begin during the week of May 23rd, 2011.  Candidates selected for an in-person interview will be notified on or before May 26th, 2011.  The position will remain open to new applications until it is filled.  The position will be in the duration of 3-9 months.  During this time the board will be evaluating the performance of the selected candidate and may extend an offer to the permanent Executive Director position or may decide to initiate a search for the permanent Executive Director.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to apply@lwsf.org

Lake Washington Schools Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, creed, age, national origin, marital status or disability, in accordance with applicable laws.

Lake Washington Schools Foundation: http://www.lwsf.org
Lake Washington School District: http://www.lwsd.org