Genevieve L'Esperance
Canada
What inspires you?
As a techonomist and computer programmer, I believe technology can solve the world's toughest problems. I'm the founder of GenINCtv, STEM 4 Girls, and a past intern at Microsoft Research.
Tell us about an issue that matters to you and how you became aware and involved.
As we look to create sustainable solutions to serious global problems, the projects resulting from these efforts is the “social innovation” that has just begun to take a solid foothold in society.
Share your perspectives on what makes a good leader.
As a 14 year old, I had assumed Millennials were simply more engaged and informed than any previous generation. It was a class discussion concerning preferred operating systems amongst peers that informed me otherwise. My classmates were uninspired when it came to understanding technology and less so in arguing the merits of one platform over another, and I was simply dumbfounded. As fate would have it, I later met a woman who discussed her struggles to acquire funding for her technology business and her despair for future generations of young women who might wish to embrace a career in technology. She and my mother shared a dream of building a technology community center for girls in one of the poorest regions globally. At that moment I saw an opportunity to inspire my peers about the power of technology beyond the white shiny objects that pumped out our favorite music. GenINC (for “Generation Incorporated”) started out as a platform to show girls that one of their own thought tech was cool. What started as video blogging à la “Entertainment Tonight,” turned into a collaboration with SQL technical guru Lynn Langit, Spun Laboratories’ Llewellyn Falco, and their not-for-profit, Teaching Kids Programming. A 15-year-old girl, who didn’t code but knew girls needed to bond as producers instead of consumers, convinced Lynn to train her. I would model Teaching Girls Programming after Lynn and Llewellyn’s own program. Prior to Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference in July 2010, Teaching Girls Programming launched at the Chevy Chase, WA offices with my 16-year-old self as the teacher and a brilliant group of female volunteers. More than 90 girls were registered for two classes and many walked away delighted with their creations – others wouldn’t leave at all! TGP has now turned into a new event platform called 4G (STEM for Girls). In May 2012 McGill University, CLUMEQ and Microsoft joined GenINC to produce a day dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The girls heard from Ubisoft’s Game Producer Marie-Jo Leroux who has worked and been on the set of Iron Man II. Marie-Jo delivered a compelling message to the grade 5 and 6 girls: Do what makes you happy, and don’t be afraid to experiment…a lot!
What obstacles have you faced thus far? What is your ultimate goal for this project or venture?
Even when you believe in something of the utmost practicality, you still have to prove it can be more than just an idea or goodwill. Sustainability is often used as a “show me” phrase; I certainly agree that to get support for a program like Teaching Girls Programming & 4G it’s not worth investing resources if it cannot fulfill that requirement. However, Teaching Kids Programming has gone global. While others have embraced the general concept, Lynn’s own program is taking root as far as Sydney, Australia. The biggest obstacle is the tech industry in North America itself. Many have publicly shared concerns about technical innovation, or the lack thereof, relative to other countries. In an early GenINCtv YouTube video interview with James Cameron, he cited some appalling statistics concerning the gender ratio in STEM faculties and careers. Even James’ wife opened her own primary school to let children discover the magic of STEM without parents propagating any gender stereotypes. So where is the technology industry in all this? Simply put, major players in all sectors from gaming to business to research need to adopt the concept that engaging kids (especially girls) early on and exposing them to event-based training in the form of GenINC’s 4G will ensure a far greater opportunity for innovation and growth. You might ask: How much do these events cost? Far less than one might think – we did the Chevy Chase event with a room, borrowed laptops and a simple lunch. The little financial input yields enormous potential future benefits, as a far more proficient talent pool will evolve. Now, Washington has it’s own TKP ambassador to run monthly events using the Microsoft campus! Teaching Girls Programming should become a systematic and sustainable entity. Short term, our goal is to continue to make 4G a part of conferences like Tech Ed, WPC, Grace Hopper and E3. The exposure to other technology professionals and industry players could play an enormous role in future collaboration. This is where I am seeking to work alongside major industry players to make this happen. Long term, this type of programming curriculum must be incorporated into educational institutions to ensure these skills are acquired early on – the younger the better. The perception that programming is beyond the comprehension or capabilities of a child is really only held by adults. In a social context, the early acceptance of technical skills amongst youth will facilitate the realization of many girls’ ambitions to be mathematicians, engineers and programmers rather than become derailed by social conventions.
How do you use technology as part of your project?
Technology is the beginning, middle, and end. Teaching Kids Programming built the software that teaches youth to code and thereafter use technology to enable the future work they will do in their careers. Finally, TGP delivers the message that careers in tech, whatever form that may take from coding to analysis to design and everything in between, is open to everyone regardless of age, gender or geography.
What project by another I4G member inspires you?
Every day I am inspired by the ideas and projects of the I4G community that are equally deserving of attention from the tech industry and the public in general.
Do you think TakingITGlobal can help you achieve some of your goals? Have we already? Please tell us how.
Dhaka, Bangledesh.It is an optimal region to implement STEM 4 Girls.
|
