WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) are launching GSUSA's first
national computer science program and Cyber Challenge for middle
and high school girls. The program aims to prepare girls in grades
6-12 to pursue computer science careers in fields such as
cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and data
science.
"The progress to diversify the STEM workforce needs to be
accelerated," said Raytheon Chairman and CEO Thomas A. Kennedy. "At a time when technology is
transforming the way we live and work, we can - and should - show
young women a clear path to taking an active role in this
transformation. Working together, Raytheon and Girl Scouts will
help girls build confidence to see themselves as the robotics
engineers, data scientists and cybersecurity professionals who will
create a better tomorrow."
A long-time partner of several Girl Scout Councils, Raytheon is
the inaugural sponsor of GSUSA's computational thinking program
that will create age-appropriate content and foundational science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM) experiences. This
collaboration will specifically support the creation of new
age-appropriate content and foundational STEM experiences for
middle and high school girls through the "Think Like a Programmer"
Journey, (currently only available to girls in grades K–5) and will
be girl-led,– like all Girl Scout programming. Girls will learn key
concepts of computer science and complete activities through which
they problem solve with friends while building essential leadership
skills. They will also have the opportunity to apply what they
learn at Girl Scouts' first-ever Cyber Challenge where girls will
work collaboratively to apply their new coding skills.
The Girl Scout Research Institute's (GSRI's) Generation
STEM report found that 74 percent of teen girls are interested
in STEM fields and subjects but their interest fades as they move
through middle and high school. A large part of the decreased
interest is because girls aren't exposed to STEM in ways that speak
to them and inspire their career ambition.
At a time when women account for half the college-educated
workforce, but constitute only 29 percent of science and
engineering occupations (NSF, Science & Engineering Indicators,
2016), Raytheon and Girl Scouts are committed to filling the
pipeline of female STEM leaders by introducing girls to related
careers early on. Providing girls with engaging STEM
programming and events including hands-on learning in computer
science and cybersecurity, helps maintain their interest in these
subjects during critical developmental years and supplements what
girls are already learning in school. In the 2017 National Cyber
Security Alliance's (NCSA) Millennial Cyber Security Survey, the
majority of Millennial women, said that more STEM information,
classes, and training during middle and high school would have
increased their interest in a cybersecurity career.
"We are excited to be working with Raytheon and tapping into its
expertise in computer science and cybersecurity to develop this
important new content for our middle and high school–age girls,"
said Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of GSUSA.
"Girl Scouts is a network of more than 60 million girls and women,
and we serve girls from every residential zip code. We are
the girl experts, and have been for 105 years. With
Raytheon's support, we will inspire millions of girls to explore
STEM careers and realize their full potential."
Phase one of the new national computer science program for
middle and high school girls will be run as a pilot in select
geographies in early 2018, with full nationwide implementation
planned to begin in fall 2018. Select Girl Scout councils will
pilot the Cyber Challenge in 2019.
To learn more about how Girl Scouts transforms today's girls
into tomorrow's leaders, and to volunteer, reconnect, donate or
join, visit www.girlscouts.org.
To learn more about the collaboration, view Bridging the Gap:
Girl Scouts of the USA and
Raytheon, an animated infographic about the gender gap in STEM
fields and how individuals can help encourage girls to pursue
careers in computer science and cybersecurity.
About Girl Scouts of the USA
We're 2.6 million strong—1.8 million girls and 800,000 adults
who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator,
Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world. Our extraordinary journey
began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette
Gordon "Daisy" Low. On March 12,
1912, in Savannah, Georgia,
she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year
since, we've honored her vision and legacy, building girls of
courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better
place. We're the preeminent leadership development organization for
girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe,
Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of
leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect,
donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24
billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation
leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity
solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon
provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration,
C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support
for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered
in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow
us on Twitter.
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-sponsors-girl-scouts-first-national-computer-science-program-and-cyber-challenge-for-middle-and-high-school-girls-300565673.html
SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA