The Curiosity Initiative, hosted by Brescia House School, welcomed over 300 girls to learn more about Information Technology (IT).
The Curiosity Initiative started in November 2015, when four Grade 10 Brescia House School girls were challenged, as part of the worldwide Microsoft Student Ambassador programme, to run a project that would make a difference in the community. The learners identified that, traditionally, girls do not choose IT as a career, nor do many girls select it as a matriculation subject. They came up with the idea to host an elegant dinner for girls, like themselves, who were interested in a career in the field.
The first event was held in May 2016, when 130 Grade 11 girls, representing 36 schools from all over Gauteng, enjoyed a sponsored dinner, along with 100 IT or CAT (Computer application Technology) teachers and various professionals from the industry. In 2017, Brescia House School hosted 200 girls, representing 44 schools across Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
This year, the Curiosity Initiative was held on 22 May. More than 180 girls and their teachers, from 45 different schools across Gauteng and Mpumalanga, attended the workshops, which focused on the latest technologies, including Microsoft Flipgrid, Green Screen for iPads by Do Ink, Minecraft Education, 3D printing, AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality), aeronautics space, drones, cryptocurrencies and blockchains.
During the dinner, which was attended by 350 Grade 11 girls, their teachers, and various professionals, the Initiative hosted a panel discussion, in which several topics relevant to both the girls and professionals present were discussed, and questions were invited from the floor.
The members of the dinner panel were experts Corien Vermaak, Shaun Edmeston, Tony Christodoulou, Natasha Bezuidenhout, Soso Motloung and Karmanie Govender.
The initiative relies on the generous sponsorship of companies such as FNB, Microsoft, other-IT related companies and various professionals to allow the girls and their teachers to attend the workshops and special dinner for free. Should you wish to get involved with this initiative, please contact curiosity@brescia.co.za
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