Decoding the Discussion: Girls + Tech

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We're all probably familiar with the controversial Barbie book I Can Be a Computer Engineer, by now, right? It sparked outrage with its sexist portrayal of women as helpless tech novices who need to call the boys when it's time to code. But it sparked something else, too. Discussion. Awareness. Most importantly, revision! Women everywhere revised the story, posting and sharing and starting discussions about how we can change the pattern of sexism in the tech world. Coder Kathleen Tuite even made a tool so anyone could rewrite their own stories within the book's pages. 

We want to continue this discussion with the second in our STEAM series, T for Technology, by sharing thoughts from women who are helping girls (and everyone else) think of technology in new ways. Our new pattern by artist Terri Fry Kasuba features a secret message to decode! We hope these insights, videos, and designs  will inspire you to start a chat with a girl in your life about the magic of technology and the limitless potential of what it can help her achieve! 

T for Technology

T is for TECHNOLOGY. Terri Fry Kasuba. November 2014. CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD MOBILE PATTERN

      Terri Fry Kasuba

T is for TECHNOLOGY. Terri Fry Kasuba. November 2014. CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD DESKTOP PATTERN

T is for TECHNOLOGY. Terri Fry Kasuba. November 2014. CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD FACEBOOK COVER PATTERN

Terri's patterns are also available on everything from iPhone cases to notecards! You can help to support STEAM learning that respects girls as thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators when you purchase items from Terri's STEAM collection. For a limited time, 100% of artist proceeds (for TECHNOLOGY) will go to Pretty Brainy®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to boosting girls' interest in STEAM.

Thought Starters

Interested in starting a discussion? Here are some quotes and videos to inspire you!

We must understand what girls value and appeal to those values academically... 
Let's create environments where girls can collaborate and bond with one another over problem solving that they value and that values them.
Watch Heidi Olinger, Founder/CEO, Pretty Brainy
When you put your first few lines of code together and suddenly it says Hello World! That moment is indescribable... Everyone wants to play. Everyone wants to invent. Everyone wants to create. And code allows you to do that. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a girl or a boy. 
Watch Ayah Bdier, Founder/CEO, littleBits

In order to dream big in the field of future fashion, I think it’s essential to know a little bit about code.
Watch Maddy Maxey, Creative Apparel Technologist

 

 

Full STEAM Ahead: Changing Patterns for Future Innovation

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A future of global innovation requires the effort of a large and diverse community of minds. That means attracting more (a lot more) girls to the fields of science, engineering, technology, arts, and math, or STEAM.* With this in mind, [Re]Designing Women is partnering with artist Terri Fry Kasuba to create a monthly series of whimsical illustrations that explore each STEAM discipline and the challenge of how to get girls interested and engaged. 

S is for SCIENCE

With S is for Science, Terri tackles the idea that to be equal does not mean to be the same. Topics or objects that are typically considered “girly” are no less worthy of our attention and can, in fact, be an effective way to inspire and attract our future scientists.

Go full STEAM ahead on all of your devices by downloading S is for SCIENCE wallpapers. You can also support the cause when you purchase items from Terri's STEAM collection! For a limited time, 100% of artist proceeds will go to Pretty Brainy®, a nonprofit organization dedicated to boosting girls' interest in STEAM.

S is for SCIENCE. Terri Fry Kasuba. October 2014. CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD DESKTOP PATTERN

S is for SCIENCE. Terri Fry Kasuba. October 2014. CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD FACEBOOK COVER PATTERN

S is for SCIENCE. Terri Fry Kasuba. October 2014. Mobile Wallpaper. CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD MOBILE PATTERN


BY KATE LINDEEN, FEATURING THE WORK OF TERRI FRY KASUBA

Terri Fry Kasuba is an artist worthy of Role Model status herself. Follow Terri on Instagram for nonstop inspiration!

Watch and learn: How to get girls to like STEM: Heidi Olinger at TEDxBocaRaton
(Follow Heidi on Twitter @prettybrainy )

* STEM to STEAM is a RISD-led initiative promoting the idea that design training can lead to more creative problem solving. As a creative professional working in the technology field, I’ve been lucky to participate in an ongoing Design Thinking Initiative with former RISD president John Maeda and I’ve seen firsthand how Design Thinking can inspire innovation and change.