FAQ’s

 

What is ChickTech High School?

ChickTech High School hosts events and workshops that will get high schoolers interested and excited about technology. Most of our participants have never participated in a technical workshop before. Our goal is to reach the girls who would make great engineers, but because of stereotypes and a lack of opportunity, may not realize it until they are already doing something else, if at all. We also strive to show the relevance of each workshop to their lives–and help them to understand that they have the ability use tech to transform their world!

Is this an alternative education setting or is this something students would do in addition to HS curriculum?

ChickTech High School is not an alternative education setting. It is meant to supplement a girl’s education by showing her what a career in tech is like. Girls attend a weekend-long kickoff event in November and then have the opportunity to attend any of our monthly workshops they would like from January – June (also scheduled on weekends so as to not interfere with school or extracurricular activities).

When does ChickTech High School start?

ChickTech High School’s kickoff will take place this November 10 – 11, 2018 at a location in San Francisco (SOMA/Financial District area).

Monthly workshops will take place January – June 2019.

How long does the program last?

The kickoff is a weekend-long event held on November 10 – 11, 2018. After the kickoff we will hold monthly workshops from January – June 2019.

Where does ChickTech High School take place?

ChickTech High School’s kickoff will take place this November 10 – 11, 2018 at a location in San Francisco (SOMA/Financial District area).

Monthly workshops will take place January – June 2019.

 

What is included?

Participation in our kickoff weekend and all workshops is free of charge. We can also help with transportation and childcare costs, if this is an issue.

How much does it cost?

ChickTech High School is 100% free for participants. We cover workshop costs, provide food, and can help with transportation and childcare costs.

What does the kickoff weekend look like?

Participants will participate in one workshop for the full two day program. This allows for approximately 10 hours of project time in one area so they can leave with a finished product they are proud of by the end of the weekend. We have found this drastically increases their confidence in their abilities, their sense of community and belonging, and their interest in technology careers.

 

Who can participate in ChickTech High School?

Any high school student who identifies as a girl is welcome to participate. The benefit of an all-girl experience is supported by a significant body of research.

How does my daughter sign up?

Girls are nominated by educators, but they can also self nominate on our website. We are looking for girls who would not find tech on their own, girls who might never think of a career in tech on their own. We want educators to nominate these girls so that they see that someone believe in them and that they can follow any career path – even the one they never considered before.

Why do you need educators’ nominations?

A crucial aspect of our program is finding young women who would not otherwise have thought of themselves as capable of succeeding in a high tech career.  As educators (teachers, troop leaders, mentors, etc), many of you have seen young women not reach their potential in STEM because they thought it was too difficult—or it wasn’t what they’ve seen women do.  By asking educators to hand-select our participants, we are giving our participants a vote of confidence: people who know them and their abilities have nominated them for this exclusive opportunity!  All of our large events fill up and have waiting lists, so we encourage you to get your list in ASAP so your students’ spaces are reserved.

Do I have to be a teacher to nominate a girl?

No you do not. We will accept nominations from mentors, troop leaders, tutors, and self-nominations as well. We are looking for nominations from someone who knows the potential of the girl they are nominating. Just tell us on the nomination form how you know the nominee.

What kind of results have you seen from ChickTech High School?

ChickTech: High School has shown tremendous results:

  • 55% of our participants had no experience creating tech projects before choosing ChickTech
  • participants who felt “confident” or “very confident” in their technology skills increased from 27% to 74%
  • participants who felt “informed” or “well informed” about technology increased from 46% to 91%
  • we increased the number of high school participants who were “interested” or “very interested” in a tech career from 47% to 89% …in only one weekend.

ChickTech is a registered 501(c)3.