The Gadget Blog - New Gadgets & Tech Talk » Business & Technology

Helping Teen Girls Tap a Future in Science and Technology

Jennifer — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:35:58 +0000

The growth of science and technology careers is that rarest of trends — one we can see happening even as we live through it. By all accounts, demand for professionals with science, math, engineering and technology skills will continue to grow across a broad spectrum of industries.

Young women studying math, technology and science in high school and college have more opportunity than ever before to enter these high-pay, high-profile professions. Educators are fielding an array of initiatives to entice more high school girls towards math and science studies.

“There were few to no women in my classes through college and even high school,” says Charna Parkey, who works as a digital signal processing engineer for Locus Location Systems in Melbourne, Fla. Parkey graduated from DeVry University in Orlando with degrees in computer and electronic engineering. “It definitely impacted my learning experience, as well as the preparation for working with men in the field. Sometimes it was tough just proving to newcomers that women are equals” in math, science and business, she adds.

While women account for nearly half the total work force in the United States, they hold less than a quarter of all the science jobs, according to the National Science Foundation. And while women continue to make about 70 cents for every dollar earned by their male colleagues with the same amount of education, the pay discrepancy shrinks or vanishes for women who study more math in college, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Continued stereotypes and the lack of female role models probably contribute to the lower number of females studying math and science careers in college, according to a study by the American Association of University Women.

“Providing young women with information and inspiration about science, math, technology and business careers benefits everyone,” says Steve Brown, President of DeVry’s Orlando campus. “Women can take advantage of opportunities for high-paying, high-profile careers and employers will benefit from an expanded work force of qualified professionals.”

DeVry has created a program, dubbed “HerWorld,” to help high school girls learn more about career opportunities in business, technology and science. The half-day interactive, multimedia workshop uses a variety of innovative vehicles to deliver information, including staging versions of popular TV programs through which participants learn about career opportunities. Activities include:

* Career Cribs, which portray the professional environment for women in business and technology.

* HerWorld Live, which highlights careers in high demand today and those likely to be in demand in the future.

* Mission Innovation, which uses team-based activities to teach participants creative-thinking skills.

* “For Real” World, which examines the college gender shift, women’s issues and women’s role in the global knowledge economy.

* Smart Girls, an exploration of women’s contributions to today’s society through pop culture trivia.

DeVry has produced HerWorld workshops in communities across the country, including New York, NY; Orlando and Miami, Fla.; Washington, D.C.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Phoenix, Ariz.

“Our goal for each HerWorld workshop is to break down stereotypes of what careers are or are not appropriate for women, and inform young women of the opportunities available to them in science- and math-related fields,” says Adele Lisko, director of community relations at DeVry’s Kansas City campus.

And for at least one DeVry graduate, being a woman in a male-dominated field has advantages beyond salary. “I believe being a woman will give me an edge,” Parkey says. “This is because the attention to detail and people skills when interviewing and working will help the dynamics of each situation. Though sometimes it makes things more difficult, there are positives such as being able to make a point without being expected to yell!”

Contact your local DeVry University to find out about upcoming HerWorld events in your area. Log on to www.devry.edu to find a location near you.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

EDITOR’S NOTE:DeVry University offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in technology, healthcare technology, business and management. More than 48,000 students attend 87 locations in 25 states and Canada, as well as through DeVry University Online.

When Your Clothes Illuminate Lights

2pixels — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:16:01 +0000

The brocades, the satins, the finest silk—all the fabrics have some illuminating qualities in them. But the Photonic textiles can beat them all in their brightness—because the fabric made out of photonic technology illuminate lights themselves.

What inspired the idea of illuminated clothes?

It all started with a group of scientist’s quest for a new kind of light that can be more attuned to fluctuating moods of men. The researches were carried at Philips Photonic Textiles Business Group in the Netherlands under the leadership of Martjin Krans. They called this concept, “ambience intelligence”. The team under Krans ended up in concluding that not only the gadgets, but our clothing, bedroom linens and other fabric furnishing can also be used as the source of illumination.

How did the technology evolve?

The first breakthrough came when they were able to incorporate small multicolored LEDs into the cloth, without compromising with its tactile quality. The result was shiny fabrics that diffused lights, but without making the cloth look like burning with light.

The theory got translated into reality

To judge the practicality of the technology, it was applied to a range products including brightly lit reading pillow, sofa cushion that changes its colors and backpacks that display pre programmed messages or play music videos after being connected to MP3 players.

The test proved to be extremely successful; since the unveiling of the technology in September 2005, Philips were reported to be inundated with industrial inquiries that included the manufacturers of automobile, corporate interior and ski apparel and many more.

The power behind the illumination

Illuminated clothes are going to be powered by ordinary AA batteries. But the scientists are open to other advanced power sources and progress has been made in the areas of wearable foldable batteries. You will be able to easily recharge these batteries with movements. Experiments are also going on to develop garments to be powered by the thermal power of the wearer. Researches are also on the way to develop powered coat hangers, that help keep the fabric fresh even inside the darkness of the wardrobe.

How can illuminated clothes help the humanity?

Medical sector: The scientists are united in their opinion that it is the medical sector that is going to be benefited most from this wearable technology. The clothes that carry the power source in the yarns or weave tiny lamps emitting ultra violet lights could help patients maintain optimum body temperature, improved blood circulation, monitoring heart beats etc.

As music playerOne German company uses this technology to produce a jacket that has keyboards in its sleeve, so that you can fine tune your music literally on your fingertips.

MilitarySome researchers predict that the technology is going to revolutionize the entire military set up. Once the army men are equipped with the self powered garments, they will be able to generate power and collect water from the environment. The garments will give protection from the enemy bullets. And it will act as the perfect camouflage for different kinds of environments.

However one issue is yet to be settled and that relates to the laundering of the clothes. Once the scientists hit upon an idea of washing these clothes, they are at once headed for the market. You need to have patience till the scientists make that breakthrough.

Top technology strategies for small businesses

Jennifer — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:11:38 +0000

(NC)-Technology can level the playing field for small businesses by providing the tools and resources once only afforded to large corporations with dedicated IT departments. The challenge many local businesses face is where to start and how to figure out which technologies are good investments and which are better left in the box?

Follows are the top technology strategies you can implement to help increase your business’ bottom line.

Seek help

Unless you’re a bona fide technophile, a technology advisor can be a small business’ most valued asset. Companies such as The Geek Squad or Nerds on Site offer on-site IT services ranging from technology needs assessment to IT setup and support. Find an advisor who understands your business’ needs and technology requirements and build an ongoing, trusting relationship with that person.

Go mobile

With a laptop computer, it’s easy to stay productive anywhere, finish work faster, and respond to customers. Laptops with built-in wireless connectivity, like the ones based on Intel’s Centrino Duo mobile technology can connect to the Internet anywhere there’s a wireless signal. With more and more Internet hot spots popping up in coffee shops, hotels, airports and other pubic spaces, getting work done on-the-fly has never been easier.

Additionally, laptops based on dual core technology, such as Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors essentially mean there are “two brains” inside your PC. Designed for multitasking, dual core technology enables users to run several applications simultaneously without slowing down the performance of the notebook.

Take it online

Potential customers can learn more about your business from a simple, informative Web site than a phone directory listing. Within seconds, they can find out what you sell, when you’re open, how to get to your location and more. Although a website is just one of many tools in the marketing mix, not having website can be a deterrent to many potential customers, especially if the competition has one.

Network together

A network brings efficiency and time savings to your business by connecting all of your PCs and printers and by enabling employees to access files and applications from any PC. And with a wireless network-or WLAN, your employees can stay connected to the network from anywhere in the building. Not only do you save on many of the costs of a traditional wired network, but the opportunities for increased productivity can help to positively impact your business’ bottom line.

Credit: www.newscanada.com