Programming created by the INTERalliance
for graduating 10th graders is designed specifically to "stop
the train" and cause the students to pause, open their eyes,
and more deeply consider their options. Tactics utilized in programming
are intense, focused and set a very high bar for success, with well
documented learning objectives, measurable outcomes, and comprehensive
follow-up and ongoing participation by the students. Programs employ
four key principles that help to ensure the success of each attitude
forming activities:
1. Intervene early. Don’t wait under undergrad. Grab their
attention in 11th, 10th, even 9th grade, earlier if possible. Research
shows that boys who opt out of activities leading to technology careers
start their exodus as early as 7th grade (13 years old). Even worse,
young girls erroneously decide they are not cut out for math, science,
or IT careers as early as 4th grade... at 9 years old! Nothing could
be further from the truth, but only focused interventions can stop
this sabotaging of future prospects for bright, capable young women.
2. Enrich the routine educational experience. Our standard fare isn’t working. Even fully equipped computer
labs running Microsoft Office or Macintosh OS and apps leave the
students bored and uninspired when standard tutorials are the best
lesson plans we can generate.
3. Offer unique experiential encounters. Talking heads don’t cut it… The students have to use
all of their senses… see… touch… experience technology...
harness IT to solve problems... real, relevant problems that give
them a taste of the power and essential role of technology, especially
IT, in every aspect of business and life
4. Continually expose youth to local
opportunities. A single booster shot won’t make a difference.
An hour-long assembly for 11th graders about IT careers will not
make a dent in the pervasive lack of interest. It must be a continuous
deluge of experiences... paid summer internships and co-ops, mentors
from universities and industry, year-long programs that create more
than just intrigue and interest among our brightest young talent.
The programs must create prestige for the participants... among their
teachers, among their target universities, among their peers.
Changing the lives and perspectives of 80 of Cincinnati's
brightest young minds!
For four weeks starting on July 16th, twenty graduating 10th graders each week
got to experience a deep dive into the world of Information Technology at some
of the Greater Cincinnati region's leading employers.
The students were nominated by
their high schools for a wide variety of reasons, each responding
to the request from the INTERalliance for students "who would
get the most out of being shown what's available right here in Cincinnati
in the way of career opportunities in IT."
The 80 students were selected from 16 local college-prep high schools, including
Cincinnati Country Day, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Cincinnati Christian
Schools, Hughes Center HS, Indian Hill HS, Mount Notre Dame HS, Mother of Mercy
High School, St. Henry's District High School, St. Ursula Academy, St. Xavier
HS, Summit Country Day School, Sycamore High School, Ursuline Academy, Walnut
Hills HS, Western Hills University High School, Withrow University High School.
Sixty-five percent of the nominated students were young women! Read
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