"Female students tend to become less interested in computer science as they approach high school … there is a perception that the field is overly technical and socially isolating."

Suzanne Watson, computer science professor and doctor of education, decided to do something about this.

Saturday, St. Bonaventure welcomed 50 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls from 12 area schools for the fifth annual Girls' Day.

"The goal of the Girls' Day program is to nurture the interest of girls at a middle school age in learning about computers," Watson said. "By exposing them to hands-on and interesting applications of computer technology, the computer science department hopes to grab the attention of these girls. The presenters of the various workshops show the girls that they can have viable, interesting and profitable careers in the sciences, particularly computer science."

Senior computer science major Angela Colomaio, who presented a workshop, said, "The program gives the girls the confidence that science and technology do not have to be difficult; it lets them have fun with it."

This year, the day-long program featured six workshops focused on computer technology: Alice (introductory programming software), Games, Games, Games! (video games), Lego Robots (human interaction with robots), Pixel Perfect Photos (image manipulation), Social Web Sites (blogging) and The World of Instant Messaging (America Online's Instant Messenger or AIM). Each girl attended four workshops of her choice. The day wrapped up with a panel discussion.
Watson and Dalton Hunkins, a professor in the department of computer science, shared the responsibility for coordinating the program. They invited alumni, local women and students to run the workshops.

Barbara McNally, a 1993 Bonaventure graduate and current principal project manager of AOL's Instant Messenger Group, dazzled the girls with the latest advances in instant messaging technology.

The workshop about Alice, in which software is used to create computer animations, was also a favorite among the girls.

"The software allows the user to create worlds, place objects in the worlds and add animation to the objects," Colomaio said. "The workshop introduced how to use the software and introduced some basic underlying principles in computer programming in an easy-to-use manner. The girls seemed to enjoy it a lot. They were very creative with the stories and wanted to download the free software when they got home."

"I thought Alice and The World of Instant Messaging were the best two workshops," one girl said. "Alice was fun because we made our own world the way we wanted … the instant messaging was also one of the best because I have AIM at my house and I love to be on it."

The workshops left the girls hungry for more, and many reported wanting to return next year. Many girls even made new friends.

"There is power in numbers, and meeting and mixing with other girls who share that interest is an important feature of the program," Watson said.

Girls are selected to attend the program by criteria determined by teachers or counselors at local schools. Each school can send up to five students.

"We hope they choose girls who would benefit from this type of exposure," Watson said.

Over the last five years, the program has progressed steadily.

"Our numbers increase as word spreads," Watson said. "The key is attracting the attention of the right contact in each school. They select participants. If it is presented as a unique opportunity, girls want to go."

The program was initially funded through a grant from Proctor & Gamble made possible by 1983 graduate Deborah Henretta, member of the board of trustees and president of the ASEAN, Australia and India department of Procter & Gamble.

In addition, Stephen Stahl, dean of the school of arts and sciences and doctor of philosophy, has also helped support the program.

The program has not only touched the lives of many girls but has also affected those involved.

"If I didn't love being a journalism and mass communication major, I would change to computer science just because of the great experience I had that day," Kimberly Trimboli, a junior who volunteered her help to the program, said.

"Once given the opportunity, it is amazing to see how eager girls this age are to learn about technology," Watson said. "Their comments are always positive. I am always moved and impressed by the cooperation we receive from everyone involved."
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