NCWIT: Aspirations in Computing: Event Volunteer/ Application Reviewer

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) offers an award each year for high school and college female students who have shown interest in and achievements relative to computing. CISE researchers can volunteer to review award applications. NCWIT receives thousands of applications in the last quarter of each calendar year, and we need reviewers. You can review as few as 5 applications, or as many as you want. Some ambitious reviewers have completed hundreds of reviews!

The thousands of applicants are reviewed by at least 4 reviewers according to a rubric provided. High school award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing; leadership ability; academic history; and plans for post-secondary education. Undergraduate and graduate award recipients are selected based on submitting technical projects that demonstrate a high level of creativity and potential societal impact.

You will not only be inspired by the amazing accomplishments of these students interested in computing, you will be giving back by helping to complete the award cycle, thus strengthening your institutional connection to this network of women in technology.

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing provides a long-term community for female technologists, from high school through higher education and beyond, encouraging persistence in computing through continuous engagement and ongoing encouragement at each pivotal stage of their educational and professional development. Winning an AiC award offers high school women encouragement and recognition for their computing-related achievements, builds computing self-efficacy and supports long-term retention. It also helps academic and corporate organizations celebrate diversity in computing by honoring young women for their interests and achievements.

Your department does not need to be an NCWIT Academic Alliance member to participate. The approximate time commitment varies per person, depending upon how many applications you wish to review. We ask for a minimum of 5 application reviews per person (from 1-10+ hours).

How to use this Activity in your Project BPC Plan:

Not sure how to use this activity in your Project BPC Plan? Once you customize the red text, this activity should fit the checklist for Project BPC Plans. Disclaimer: Using this text in your Project Plan does not guarantee NSF approval of your BPC Plan.

Interested in this activity for your Departmental BPC Plan? Summarize the content below to fit the checklist for Departmental BPC Plans. Disclaimer: Using this text in your Departmental Plan does not guarantee BPCnet Verification of your BPC Plan.

If you intend to use this activity in your BPC Plan (Departmental or Project), be sure to submit the Program Interest form, found at the bottom of the page, so this organization is aware of your intended participation.

Activity Summary

The research team commits to participating in the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing program – an encouragement program for young women in high school and college who aspire to go into the field of computing. The PI(s)/Co-PI(s) and research team will review applications, encourage others in the department to review applications, serve as a volunteer for an award celebration, and attempt to secure a scholarship for award winners.

1. Context & Goals

Context: [ADD TEXT here to describe the problem your plan addresses using institutional or local data. For this activity, your context may include gender percentages of AP CS test takers in your state or about percentage of women in institutions compared to your department.] NCWIT’s Aspirations in Computing program is an encouragement program for young women in high school and college who aspire to go into the field of computing. It consists of more than 70 regional awards at the high school and college level (undergraduate and graduate).  All applications are reviewed by multiple reviewers and all regional and national awards culminate in an award event. Encouragement (DuBow et al, 2016; Hong et al, 2014; Wang et al, 2015) and recognition (DuBow et al, 2016; Espinosa, 2011; Carlone & Johnson, 2007) are key levers that the community can use to increase the participation of women in the field. The majority of Aspirations winners go on to major or minor in computing.

Goal: The goal is to encourage the participation of young women in high school and college in our region who aspire to go into the field of computing. 

Activity Motivation: Participation in this activity will provide the research team with opportunities for direct involvement in an effort to broaden participation in computing through connections to local efforts to bring more women into the field.

2. Intended Population

Activity Participants: The research team.

Participant Recruitment: Intended Level(s): Graduate, High School, Middle School, Undergraduate. Intended Population: [Customize as needed, making sure to include at least one of the following groups: women who are American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or persons with disabilities. You may also add other groups; these include, but are not limited to: LGBTQ women, women from rural areas, and women from areas without computing/technology education.]

3. Strategy

Activity Content: Each year of the grant, [the PI/Co-PI and/or others] will serve as a volunteer for a local Aspirations in Computing Award. This will involve serving as an online reviewer of applications and helping to support a regional award celebration. The PI will also attempt to secure funding from the department to offer scholarships or other support to award winners.

Activity Budget: $2000 [or more–you can include this amount in your Project Plan or not.] With funding from the NSF, [the PI/Co-PI] will help to support the regionalAspirations in Computing award event. If awardees attend the [the PI/Co-PIs institution], [the PI/Co-PI] will attempt to secure additional scholarships or other support from the department for future years.

Responsibilities of PIs: Each year, the PI(s)/Co-PI(s) will:

• connect with and volunteer for a local Aspirations in Computing Award [PI/Co-PI name(s)],
• review applications, encourage others in the department to review applications [PI/Co-PI name(s)],
• serve as a volunteer for an award celebration [PI/Co-PI name(s)], 
• spread the word about the Aspirations Award [PI/Co-PI name(s)], and 
• attempt to secure a scholarship for award winners [PI/Co-PI name(s)].

4. Preparation

The PI(s)/Co-PI(s) [PI/Co-PI name(s)] has/have reviewed the NCWIT’s Aspirations in Computing program website, registered as volunteer(s) to read applications, and contacted the lead volunteer for the local award event. [The PI/Co-PI name(s)] discussed with the department chair the idea of offering an Aspirations in Computing scholarship. 

5. Measurement

The PI(s) [PI name(s)] will track the number of reviewers from the research team and the number of applications collectively reviewed. The team will also count the number of Aspirations in Computing awardees who attend the PI’s institution and which of them major in CS at the institution. Demographic data on the recruitment and retention of undergraduate students in the department will be monitored each year. The PI will also  obtain evaluation data from NCWIT on the outcomes of the Aspirations Award event. This information may be used to motivate additional scholarships  or other support, and/or motivate others in the department to review Aspirations applications or otherwise get involved. All evaluation results will be reported in each annual NSF report.