Women Build - Partnering Microsoft and Lego
Now this is a brilliant idea. An external partnership between Lego and Microsoft using Lego Bricks as a mentoring and networking tool for women in Technology. If you're going to the PCD 2008 you can register for the Pre-Conference day here. Here's the abstract for the workshop.
WomenBuild... inspiring career paths in technology
In this workshop, attendees will participate in an environment of rich, interactive experiences by modeling real-life business challenges and solutions with LEGO Bricks as part of the LEGO Serious Play Program (LSP). WomenBuild will open your minds to exciting and inspirational ideas on how to be a thought leader in the technical field. We will work together in small groups to brainstorm and problem solve in a collaborative and productive way. You will work with people in various responsibility areas in teams. This way each role can impart their own unique perspective to the group, while collectively creating shared understandings that direct future activity effectively.
The WomenBuild program incorporates a hands-on process that draws on the power of creative thinking to shift group conversation from talking heads to focused minds. Each team will be run as a facilitated conversation with physical Lego brick constructions that will powerfully shift a group to more productive outcomes by accomplishing a deeper mining of the diverse wisdom within the group and a clearer shared conclusion on inspirational career paths for women in the technical field.
Through this workshop, attendees will share real life experiences, discuss challenges, network & build on-going relationships with other women who are attending the conference. Ultimately, attendees of this workshop will find ways to unleash their creative thinking and transform ideas into concrete concepts.
It's a shame that I can't get to PDC this year, but I'm sure that Frank will help out if he can. It's certainly an amazing idea- and a great opportunity for you to network with other technical women and share ideas. It's certqainly something we should also have at future TechEds - What do you think?