Wednesday, May 5, 2010, Calgary, Alberta – More than 225 grade nine girls were at SAIT Polytechnic today to participate in Explore IT, an interactive one-day conference designed to increase awareness of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related career options.

“This is a fun and engaging opportunity for young women to explore a future in science and technology,” says Mo Keshavjee, Explore IT Conference co-chair and SAIT’s School of Information and Communications Technologies Marketing Coordinator.  “The field of Information and Communications Technology is currently underrepresented by females with women accounting for less than 25 per cent of the workforce. Explore IT hopes to change that statistic by giving girls the opportunity to try the tantalizing world of high tech with hands-on sessions in the areas engineering, science and the arts.”

Along with listening to a passionate keynote speaker, the girls could choose between more than 30 interactive sessions held throughout the day at three post-secondary institutions in Calgary.

“The collaboration between all of the partners and sponsors help make this event such a success,” says Keshavjee. “As a result of today’s event, more than 550 students will have had exposure to what could be an exciting career path for them to follow.”

Now in its tenth year, the Explore IT conference is a partnership between SAIT Polytechnic, Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Separate School District.  For more information on the conference, please visit www.explore-it.ca.

SAIT Polytechnic is one of Canada’s most exciting destinations for post-secondary education, offering more than 100 career programs that position people for success in technology, trades and business. A leader in innovation, SAIT also collaborates with industry on applied research and delivers corporate training worldwide. SAIT is a member of Polytechnics Canada and one of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers for 2011.

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