Awards recognize high school girls' tech aspirations

Women are underrepresented in the tech industry -- holding just 26 percent of computer-related positions -- and the struggles brought by that gender disparity have been chronicled many, many, many times.

But there's a movement underway to change that, including efforts here in the Twin Cities. Minneapolis hosted the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing last year. Groups like Twin Cities Geekettes and Girls In Tech Minneapolis continue to encourage women in the tech industry.

And part of that outreach comes in supporting students interested in tech careers. For instance, the third annual "Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing" awards, accepting applications from tech-inclined high school girls through Nov. 2. The awards are given by Advance IT Minnesota and the National Center for Women & Information Technology.

"Encouraging, recruiting and supporting you women as early as high school is critical," said Russell Fraenkel, Advance IT Minnesota director of IT career pathways and partnerships. "Our workforce needs their creativity and innovation, and these women have a phenomenal opportunity to be the next generation of leaders and innovators in a rapidly growing field."

The awards recognize computing-related achievements and interests; prizes include scholarships, tech devices and a summer internship at a technology company in Minnesota. More information is available here.