Taking the fear-factor out of technology and revealing the possibilities it creates was the focus of a four-day camp last term.

In its seventh year in NSW public schools, the Exploring Interests in Information Technology and Engineering (EXITE) program – funded by IBM – aims to make girls aware of the opportunities available through technology.

Ruth Mason, senior learning design officer with the department’s Centre for Learning Innovation (CLI), said 21 Year 8 girls from Cambridge Park, Kingswood and Cranebrook High Schools attended the 2008 camp, which incorporated an environmental focus.

“The camp’s central theme is ‘How can we use technology to help save the environment?’ And at the end of the camp, the projects are presented to the students’ parents,” Ms Mason said.

Students calculated their carbon footprints, attended a robotics session and created music videos at the Powerhouse Museum.

“Teamwork is a big part too,” Ms Mason said. “They have to plan, and everyone has a role in their project team … it really got them focused and thinking about planning, which is a skill they can use everywhere.”

Saloni Jirathaneswongse, the program’s IBM facilitator, said it was important for the industry to demystify technology for young women and raise awareness of how it can be a career tool.

“What makes this camp different is there are 25 professional women [from IBM] who have volunteered their time to provide a mentoring relationship” she said.

The mentoring program continues for six weeks following the camp, providing career guidance and advice.