microsoft DigiGirlz CAMP
In 2015, The City of Sacramento and Microsoft signed a Digital Alliance, pledging to work together to provide technology training specifically to women and girls. Seventy-seven percent of jobs in the next decade will require tech skills, but only 25% of women are currently pursuing computer science education to prep for those jobs.
The partnership collaborated to host the Sacramento Microsoft DigiGirlz event — a day intended to encourage middle school girls to consider careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The inaugural DigiGirlz Day was held February 18, 2016. With 60 8th and 9th graders in attendance from Martin Luther King, Jr. Technical Academy, PS7 Middle School, Sacramento High School, Natomas Middle School, Oak Park Prep and Science and Engineering School (SES), the event was lauded as “amazing, fantastic, and fun” by participants.
“We are excited about this great partnership with Microsoft to help girls in our community get connected to a pathway for careers in technology," said Maria MacGunigal, Chief Information Officer for the City of Sacramento. “Closing the gender gap in the technology industry, and enabling young people ways to gain key skills, is an important step to building an inclusive community.”
2017 DigiGirlz camp a success
On Thursday, March 23rd and Friday, March 24, the City of Sacramento partnered with Microsoft, Sacramento State, and KPMG to host the 2nd DigiGirlz Camp on the campus of Sacramento State. 50 young ladies had two full days of STEM activities and workshops, including:
- Career panel and round robin mentoring session with women in STEM fields
- JavaScript coding and electronics workshop
- Catapult building competition
- Health Sciences nursing simulation
- 3-D printer workshop
- College 101 session and resource fair
- Conversations with medical leaders (in neurosurgery and pharmacy)
- Sacramento State campus tour
Releases and Media
Rise of the DigiGirlz: Two-day technology showcase draws dozens of female middle schoolers to Sacramento State
April 2017
Sacramento News & Review
Young Sacramento girls taught science, technology at DigiGirlz event
March 2017
KCRA
City and Microsoft to Host DigiGirlz Event, Empowering Young Women in Technology
March 2017
Sacramento City Express
Campus to host two-day technology showcase for young girls
February 2017
Sacramento State News
'DigiGirlz' Boosts High-Tech Interests in Middle and High School Girls
February 2016
Cap Radio
City and Microsoft join forces to host Sacramento’s first DigiGirlz Day
February 2016
Sacramento City Express
Sacramento, Calif., Commits to Connecting Girls with Tech Careers
May 2015
Government Technology
City signs with Microsoft to encourage women and girls to get into technology fields
April 2015
Sacramento City Express