Girls4Tech: Mastercard to Provide STEM Education to 200,000 Girls
Mastercard shines a light on the development of young girls and commits to reach 200,000 by 2020 with its Girls4Tech STEM education program
Mastercard set a goal to reach 200,000 girls aged 10-13 around the world with its signature Girls4Tech program by 2020.
The commitment was made as the company kicked off a global marathon of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workshops in celebration of the International Day of the Girl.
According to the World Economic Forum, women remain a minority in STEM-related careers. In the U.S. alone, fewer than a quarter of STEM jobs are held by women, despite being more than half of the workforce.
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“It’s critical that today’s students have access to the support and encouragement to achieve their dreams. Providing access to STEM principles is one way we can make a difference today,” said Susan Warner, senior vice president, internal communications, Mastercard.
“When we first talk with the girls, they’re not thinking about a career in fraud detection, cryptology or technology, but when they leave, they’re thinking just that.”
Launched in 2014, Girls4Tech is Mastercard’s education program aimed at creating future problem solvers. The curriculum was created in conjunction with top engineers and technologists at Mastercard to teach the foundations of STEM principles.
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Mastercard is organizing Girls4Tech workshops across 10 countries in the month of October. From Auckland to St. Louis, girls will apply their own special skills, as well as math and science concepts they’re learning in school to solve real-life challenges.
The data scientists and cybersecurity detectives of tomorrow, will explore the world of big-data analytics and algorithms, encryption, cryptology, and biometrics to create and innovate technologies that are safe, simple and smart.
Through this month’s efforts alone, Mastercard will reach over 1400 students. This adds to the more than 30,000 girls across 17 countries who have participated in the program over the past three years.
Photo courtesy: Mastercard
