Have you ever wondered why more women do not go into careers in science and technology? Is it possible that we are not offering our young women cool and hip role models to show them that it is quite normal and it is fun to be a computer engineer?

Our young women may wonder, “Am I smart enough to do something that requires brains? Do I have the right stuff to go into science and technology? Is it normal for somebody who wants to be pretty and accepted by both boys and girls to become a computer engineer?”

The United States is no longer the world’s leader in creativity and innovation. Check out my prior blog post entitled,”Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who is the most innovative country of all?” Did you know that three million jobs went unfulfilled this past year in the field of science and technology in the United States alone?

Oftentimes you are not cool if you are female and you want to be a computer engineer. It is not unusual to suffer social ostracism. I speak from experience. I remember being the “nerd” in high school because I took advanced math courses. I was so embarrassed.

Therefore, how can we make it cool for young women to love mathematics in our middle and high schools?

Here is an article that you will find enlightening about the need to make math cool:  

Academics Say Make Math Cool to Promote U.S. Competitiveness

We must demonstrate to our young women that it is hip and cool to obtain the math education they need to pursue careers in science and technology.

You can make one small difference today to put our young women on the right path to embracing technology. You can send the message that it is is cool and hip to be a technical woman!

Go vote today for Barbie to become a computer engineer so she can become a role model to young women everywhere. Both men and women should vote.

It only takes two seconds, go to http://www.barbie.com/vote/ and vote for Barbie to be a computer engineer.

Kim Hogh brings the excitement of science and technology to the Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

I have been on several exciting adventures this year. One included attending the International Association of Science Parks (IASP 2009) conference at the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, USA.

You may wonder, “What is a science park and what do they do?” Science and technology parks promote the economic development and competitiveness of regions and cities. Science and technology parks make the world a better place because they provide the infrastructure needed for the global knowledge economy. This includes:

• Creating new business opportunities and adding value to mature companies
• Supporting entrepreneurship as well as incubating innovative companies
• Generating knowledge based jobs
• Providing attractive new places for these emerging knowledge based workers
• Stimulating synergy between universities and companies

I had to good fortune to meet Kim Hogh, CEO of Scion DTU. It is one of Denmark’s largest university-based science parks.

He is gracious, generous, as well as quite brilliant. When I walked in I did not know anyone. He began by introducing me to the person who advises him and implements his vision, Gitte Skibstrup Nikolajsen. Kim Hogh introduced me to many of the organizers and the leaders of science parks from all around the world.

The energy in the room was incredible. It was a room full of the most committed people who are determined to make the world a better place by integrating the multiple disciplines of science, research, and business through the collaborative efforts of a network of science parks.

Scion DTU, in collaboration with Symbion Science Park, will host the IASP conference 2011 in Copenhagen. Since Copenhagen is noted as being one of the most innovative places in the world, it is a superb choice.

If you have an interest in science, business, technology, creativity, innovation or if you simply want to make the world a better place be sure to put IASP 2011 on your calendar.

I definitely have it on my calendar. I will see you in Copenhagen!