How do young girls' enhance their self-image as high achievers and learners in the arenas of math and science?

We think the answer to these questions lies, in part, to the student's connection and relationship with women who've experienced success in business and/or technology in the world of work - via mentoring.

Over the past few months, MassWIT's newly formed eMentoring Program has been gaining momentum - selecting a partner school, building the organization and recruiting for eMentor volunteers.

We're excited to share our mission, vision and purpose with you as we move forward!

The MassWIT eMentoring program grew as a result of the success of ChicWIT, the Chicago arm of WorldWIT, and the growth of its now 2-year-old program. Suzanne Zellner, Executive Director of MassWIT, wanted to champion an eMentoring program here in New England, aimed at pairing women in business and/or technology with middle-school-age girls, to support student learning and provide role models for future career success. Lenore Mewton and Christine Adamow have volunteered as co-leaders for this program.

MassWIT's eMentoring goals
To start small, create a pilot program and run for a year and grow from there.
To engage corporate sponsors to provide the technology and financial needs of the program.

What's our mission?
To provide young girls with a professional female role model as an extension and support of their math and science curriculum and to enhance the student's probability of future growth and career success.

What's the benefit to students?
The students will gain an individualized connection with professional women as role models and links between their school experiences and the world of work in math- and science-related industries.

Benefits to eMentors?
It's fun and rewarding! Statistics show that, in most mentoring programs, mentors receive as much if not more value than the people they are helping. The program exposes mentors to another generation and way of life, a learning opportunity to enhance leadership skills and the opportunity to make a difference in the educational experience and perspective of a young girl.

Partner school
Our choice of partner school is Smith Leadership Academy, a new charter school opening in Fall 2003. The Academy is a sixth-through-eighth-grade college preparatory school in Boston. The Academy, although co-educational, is structured with single-sex math and science tracks.
The choice of Smith Leadership Academy provides the opportunity for MassWIT to affect the learning of middle-school-age girls and support learning of inner-city schools, students and families. This collaboration provides MassWIT with the opportunity to make a difference by leveraging expertise, interest and enthusiasm of a large volunteer network with a newly formed school, rich in educational knowledge, enthusiasm and values, regarding the nurturing of future community leaders.
The Smith Leadership Academy's mission is to address the educational needs of Boston while pursuing its values of personal excellence, intellectual curiosity, integrity, compassion, respect and community citizenship. The school's mission is to develop high-achieving students of good character who use problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills to inspire others and to foster educational, economic and political advancement within their communities and the broader nation. The school's plan for educational excellence has five key components: college preparation, leadership, diverse teaching strategies, a safe and supportive school ethos, and parent involvement.

Our program
MassWIT's eMentoring program will use a Project-Based Learning model to align with the student's math and/or science curriculum. Our program will include eMentors, an educational liaison to school faculty, and organizational support for both eMentors (training and ongoing support) and recruitment for the technology needs of the school. An eMentor will be paired with one student to connect with weekly by e-mail, and will be supported by school faculty who will follow student's eMentoring progress and project learning.

Timeline
We will begin with a pilot of one class of 22 female sixth-grade students in the Fall 2003, with a full rollout expected for both classes, all 44 female students, in Winter 2004. The eMentors for the pilot will be trained this spring/early summer.

We are currently recruiting for 35 eMentors for Fall 2003, and 30 more will be needed for Winter 2004.

What the world needs now
To succeed in today's fast-paced, global market and economy, a degree will not be enough. To support their academic learning students will need networking and communication skills, solid technical knowledge, and a desire for lifelong learning. MassWIT's eMentoring program will partner with the goals and values of Smith Leadership Academy to support young girls' development in all of the above areas.

Make a difference in a young girl's education - come join us! If you are interested in becoming an e-mentor, learning more about the program, or think your company might be interested in being a sponsor for the program please e-mail Lenore Mewton, lenoremewton@attbi.com.