Expo to give women a taste of technology

The fifth annual WomenTech Expo, designed to offer women an opportunity to explore a variety of technology fields through discussion and hands-on demonstrations, will be held Friday, April 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the CCRI Knight Campus in Warwick.

"The Expo gives women the chance to talk with people and to get into the labs. It shows them they can be comfortable in that setting," Expo coordinator Jodie Bluto explained.
Events like this are important because women typically won’t go into technology fields without some encouragement and exposure, she said.

While the expo has been enormously successful in past years with large groups from high schools making up the more than 400 attendees, there was concern that such a large group may keep students getting the most of the experience. This year’s event will be open only to CCRI students and some outside students on an individual basis, but groups are not allowed to register. This is expected to keep the number to about 80, thus allowing participants more time to interact with faculty, more opportunities to participate in hands-on demonstrations, and more personal attention.

“This year, we wanted a smaller group so we can follow up with them, provide information and help with registration, if needed,” Bluto said.

Students can register the day of the event, but those who register online are more likely to get into the demonstrations they want.

The WomenTech Expo is part of the WomenTech project, which began six years ago with a five-year grant from the Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science. CCRI was one of only three community colleges nationwide chosen to receive funding. The project proved to be successful in helping women enter technology fields, so the college decided to support it after the grant expired.

“I am excited to support the WomenTech Expo as it provides an opportunity for prospective students, especially women, to explore educational programs leading to exciting career opportunities,” said Peter Woodberry, dean of business, science and technology.

Since the project began, enrollment in the specified technology fields has gone up about 45 percent, according to Bluto.

For more information on WomenTech, go to www.ccri.edu/womentech.