When you Google search “computer scientist”, what’s the first image that appears? Is it a guy with glasses and a plaid shirt? Trust us, we’re not being biased. In fact, research has shown the number of women with bachelor degrees in computer sciences has decreased rapidly over the past 20 years from 37 per cent to less than 20 per cent. Today, less than one per cent of women would be interested in studying computer science as an elective in university. But, there is hope!

In 2010, Mattel posted a public survey asking girls which career they would like Barbie to pursue. To everyone’s surprise, the number one career was computer engineer. Are women beginning to see technology as a fun, innovative, career savvy form of income?  Let’s hope so!

To help regain the number of women in computer sciences, Serena and Gail Carmichael founded Girl Develop It Ottawa to bring back the flare and fun of building websites in a supportive environment. Serena taught us how technical skills can be valuable for your career and any career, why this “women in technology” thing really matters, and how their upcoming workshops can help you become the next Marissa Mayer. Well, in part.

Girl Develop It is hosting their next workshop Intro to HTML and CSS on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. They’re also looking for volunteers to help teach workshops and share technological skills with Ottawa women. If you or someone you know likes to teach and is tech savvy, contact Serena or Gail.

And lastly, congratulations to our Girl Geek prize winners who went home with fabulous gifts from our event sponsors – the National Arts Centre, Media Miser, UsedOttawa.com and Ingrid Aesthetics.

To read more about this month’s event, check out the following reviews from our Girl Geek attendees:

Amy Campsall (blog post)– @AmyCampsall

Alexandra Reid – @TechAlly

Mel Gallant – @MelGallant

Hana Abaza – @HanaAbaza

Topics during the tour will include Savour Ottawa, 101 Must-try-before-you-die tastes and a little dose of history just for good measure. And we have to go out in Girl Geek Dinner Style, so prepare yourself for Girl Geek Dinner trivia for a chance to win prizes!

About C’est Bon Cooking:

C’est Bon Cooking’s EDIBLE OTTAWA tours are a foodie’s romp through the Capital’s most vibrant epicurean neighbourhoods. Participants are treated to mouth-watering conversations, enticing aromas, scrumptious flavours and a riot of colours in meticulously arranged food displays.

EDIBLE OTTAWA tours are based on the belief that the best way to get to know a people and its culture is to explore local markets, experience local specialties and meet local Chefs and food artisans. They are an opportunity to experience Ottawa “as locals do,” a chance to connect with colourful neighbourhoods such as the ByWard Market, Wellington West and Beechwood Avenue.

Culinary tourism is a thriving industry all over the world and C’est Bon Cooking is proud to have brought it to Canada’s Capital. Our clients relish their opportunity to become food industry insiders for a while and to familiarize themselves with Ottawa’s latest “must try tastes.”

Event details:

Date: July 7, 2011

Time: 6pm to 8pm *please arrive 10 minutes early*

Meeting spot: Murray’s Market, 261 Dalhousie Street

Contact: Paola St-Georges, Marketing Manager and Guide, 613-722-8687 (ext. 204)

Cost: $25/person (special rate on behalf of C’est Bon Cooking and Girl Geek Dinner Ottawa)

To register, please click here

*Tour will go ahead rain or shine so please dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes*

On March 30, three women taught us that technology isn’t just an objective, it changes society and infrastructure as a whole.

Mary Beth Baker, Emily Daniels and Tracey Lauriault, were part of a technological revolution known as Open Data Ottawa. A few months back, they organized Hackfest, an opportunity for technology lovers to come together to create unique and innovative mobile apps with the purpose of helping Ottawa citizens to enjoy and easily access recreation and services the city has to offer.

Thanks to our wonderful speakers and guests, the event generated huge awareness on Twitter.  We highly encourage participation from everyone, male or female, and if you know someone that’s passionate about technology or has an idea for an event, please don’t hesitate to talk to us, we love questions and feedback!

What can we take away from this event? From creative ideas for new apps to learning resources you can take home with you,  Mary Beth, Tracey and Emily enlightened us with their passion for the pursuit of open data :

• If you’re not reading this, make sure to pick up The Real World of Technology by Ursula Franklin and also check out Datalibre.ca.
• Remember Erin Brockovich? Well, she’s back in the spotlight and working on passing an open data bill about disease clusters being mapped and made public. Does this mean a sequel?!
• Another great quote is from the lovely Jane Jacobs, “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”
• If you loved the past Hackfest and want to take part again, Mary Beth is hoping to start a Mother’s Day Hackfest in May. Feel free to contact her for more information, maribethbaker <at> gmail.com. You can also check out photos from the last Hackfest on behalf of Edward  Ocampo-Gooding.
• And last, but not least, open data is not about sharing personal information with the public.  In order to share public information we have the right to know and to answer public policy issues that affect us and our communities.

Thanks again to our sponsors for their continued support.  We hope all the door prize winners enjoy their prizes!

CIRA .CA

Thornley Fallis

Open Data Ottawa

The Lemon Kitchen

Media Miser

The National Arts Centre

Swing Dynamite

We’ve come up with a few questions to consider that we’d like your input on. If you can, have a look before attending–otherwise we’ll just chat about them on Monday:

1. What kinds of topics are you interested in for GGD?
2. What kinds of speakers?  Do you have any recommendations or contacts?
3. Any ideas for sponsorships?
4. Any restaurant preferences?
5. Would you pay to confirm your attendance?
6. Would you rather pay a $10 fee ahead of time, or pay the cost of dinner ahead of time?
7. if you pay $10, what would you like us to do with the money?  Buy
   appetizers, use it for speakers, charity?
8. Anyone want to help organize?  Doesn’t have to be a long term
   thing.  If you have a contact who you think would be a good speaker,
   maybe you can help with just that one event.

Looking forward to seeing all you geeky girls there!

However, before we kick things off, we want your help–we want to make sure that Girl Geek Dinner Ottawa is a) well attended, b) adding value to your life and c) tons of fun! So we’re inviting all geeky girls in Ottawa to our pre-launch kick-off party on Monday, July 6. It’s free to attend, but we ask you to please register in advance so we can give the venue accurate numbers.

Come, meet and greet, have some food and drinks and most importantly tell us what YOU want to see at Girl Geek Dinners. We’d love your feedback on everything from venues, speakers, time, day of the week–just let us know whatever you want and we’ll do our best to accommodate and make it the best geeky girl event in Ottawa!

Hope to see you there! Remember, Monday, July 6, 7 p.m. at the Fox and the Feather pub on Elgin Street. Don’t forget to register!