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Thursday, March 27, 2003

By Donald I. Hammonds, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Getting girls interested in computers and mathematics -- and encouraging them to stick with it -- is a tall order for schools. It's also a growing worry for Pittsburgh businesses concerned about a gender gap in technical fields.

	TechSERVE, a University of Pittsburgh effort to encourage girls to take computer and math classes, is ongoing on Saturdays in several sites in the area. Here Marissa Venturella, 9, left, and Nicole Navranek, 9, work at computers in TechSERVE's Penn Hills center earlier this month. (Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette) More New Pittsburgh: Business Scene: Alliances offer alternative biotech funding Risk Diary: How a little inn became 'in' with the hip crowd Multimedia Answers: Buy a new CD player rather than repair old one Computer Q&A: AOL has gone AWOL from customers in online support

A study by the American Association of University Women indicates that elementary-age girls begin to lose interest in math, computers and related topics. As a result, women account for only a fifth of workers in information technology fields, while four of every five workers in science and technology fields are men, according to Tech Savvy magazine.

The University of Pittsburgh is trying to change that. It's started a program, called TechSERVE, that provides elementary and middle-school girls with computer and mathematics skills. The program's mission is to encourage girls to become "interested, excited and engaged" in computers and mathematics, Pitt says, so that they use their newly acquired skills to benefit the community and as a constructive way to use their free time to play games instead of watching television.

Cynthia Wetmiller, director of TechSERVE, remembers how difficult mathematics courses were for her when she was a child.

"Growing up, I was absolutely terrible in math and science," she said. "I can remember my father bought a book called 'Math Without Tears' for my sister and me. I always thought, 'I can't do this.' " Wetmiller recalls "horrible memories of sitting at the dining room late at night trying to do that math homework."

However, a light bulb went on for her when she got an A in university-level statistics class. She realized: "I can do this. Math is not my enemy. Math is my friend."

That's why her involvement with the TechSERVE program is so important to her.

"If a mother in the home or female role model is not a math expert or connoisseur ... the child ... will not get support at home," Wetmiller said. "I just believe that if someone can hold these girls' hands and help them, they can do it."

Students enrolled in the TechSERVE program, which is conducted over 10 Saturdays at local churches, are taught basic word processing, keyboarding, Internet and PowerPoint skills.

Almost 100 girls already have graduated from the program, which is in its first year. In addition, 32 students from Penn Hebron Elementary School in Penn Hills, 24 from Greenfield Elementary School in Pittsburgh and 12 from New Brighton Middle School are enrolled in TechSERVE.