FREE Princeton Summer Journalism Program: Deadline: Friday, February 26th

 Applications are due next week for the 2016 Princeton Summer Journalism Program, an all-expenses-paid journalism and college preparation program at Princeton University for students from low-income backgrounds. Students learn reporting skills from celebrated journalists, report and write their own newspaper, and are paired with a counselor who oversees their college admissions process. SJP alumni have gone on to jobs at The New York Times, The New Yorker, NPR, and many other news outlets. The application can be found at www.princeton.edu/sjp and is due at 11:59pm EST on Friday, February 26, 2016. If you have questions, please reach out to sjp@princeton.edu.

Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program - Deadline: March 1st

Girls Who Code is a national nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in the technology and engineering sectors.  Our Summer Immersion Program represents an innovative approach to computer science education, pairing 7 weeks of intensive instruction in robotics, web design, and mobile development with engaging, career-focused mentorship and exposure led by the industry’s top female entrepreneurs and engineers. The program is free and open to current 10th and 11th grade females.  

The deadline is approaching on March 1st, which only gives applicants about 2 weeks to fill out their application!

What is it?

The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a 7-week computer science course that embeds classrooms in technology companies and universities. Students learn the fundamentals of computer science - from robotics to how to build a webpage - while gaining exposure to the tech industry and mentorship from women working in technology.

Where is it?

Newark, NJ! But the program is also held in 18 other cities.

When is it?

The program runs Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm daily during the summer months. Specific dates are unique to the program location.  

How much does it cost?

The program is completely free for all participants. However, all students must provide their own transportation, to and from the program, every day. Transportation stipends will be made available for students with limited financial resources.

Who can apply?

Current high school sophomores and juniors, who have a US address and can commit to attending the full 7-week program in their respective location. No previous knowledge in computer science is required.

Why?

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that by 2020, there will be 1.4 million computer specialist job openings. Yet U.S. universities are expected to produce only enough qualified graduates to fill 29% of these jobs. Furthermore, women today represent 18% of all computer science graduates. In 1984, they represented 37%.

I would ask if you could share this incredible opportunity with female students in your school, as well as forward this email to any math, science, and computer science teachers, or any community members who can help spread the word. 

If you have any questions or interest in the program, do not hesitate to email me at catarina.dematos@girlswhocode.org, or check out the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program page: http://girlswhocode.com/programs/#section3.
Applications are now open for the summer of 2016!

Great Informational Article Link Below
Dare to Dream: Girls Who Code Graduate from Summer Immersion Program http://www.njit.edu/features/sceneandheard/girls-code-graduation.php via @NJIT

Sustainable Development Challenge - Deadline: March 27th

 

Sustainable Development Challenge Website

Do you think about the problems facing society or about the needs of the world? Do you worry about climate change, poverty, equality and overconsumption? Do you want to make a difference?
The United Nations has set 17 sustainable development goals to help end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. Seton Hall University's School of Diplomacy & International Relations is challenging high school students to be part of the solution!
Seton Hall University is committed to serving the greater good, which is why we are hosting a Sustainable Development Challenge designed to engage high school students in thinking about the needs of society and the planet - encouraging you to be an agent of change and embrace the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Submit your ideas

Using the online entry form, submit a 300-500 word statement that describes an innovative approach or idea you have for addressing one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts about what you want to do to be a part of the solution and help make the world a better place.
Here are some guidelines:

• You can focus on any of the 17 UN sustainable development goals.
• You can present an idea aimed at creating awareness or aimed at creating change related to one or more of the sustainable development goals.
• You can present an idea for a project, campaign or charity that will assist in attaining one or more of the sustainable development goals.
• You can think locally or globally - focus on your school, local community, your state, the U.S. or any country or region of the world you wish.

Your submission should address the following:

• Briefly explain your idea and approach to implementing the idea
• Identify which UN Sustainable Development goal(s) your idea supports
• Explain how the idea you are presenting will contribute to attaining this goal(s)

Submissions must be received by Sunday, March 27, 2016 at midnight
The Challenge is open to all high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Step 2: Share your ideas

Ten finalists will be selected by late March and invited to present their ideas to a panel of judges at Seton Hall University on Friday April 22, 2016 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., with a reception to follow. Finalists who cannot come to campus can participate via Skype.
All submitters are welcome to attend the Challenge presentations on April 22 as well as the reception to follow. Make a weekend out of it and join us for Open House on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 9:00 am.

Step 3: Win Prizes and Recognition!

Finalist with the best ideas will win cash prizes and a scholarship to attend Seton Hall. The cash prize can assist you in launching your idea or creating awareness about the sustainable development goal or region of the world that is most important to you.

• 1st Place Winner: $2,500 cash prize. Plus a $10,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($2,500 annually)
• 2nd Place Winner: $1,000 cash prize. Plus a $6,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,500 annually)
• All other Finalists will receive a $4,000 scholarship to attend Seton Hall University ($1,000 annually)

Finalists who present in person and their families will also be invited to a congratulatory reception on campus immediately following the event where they will meet with Seton Hall faculty and community members who are experts in the fields of international affairs and sustainable development.