Talk:Girls2Geeks (PPS)

Questions we wanted to have committees answer

 * Has anything like this been done before? If so, how could this go wrong?
 * We have had schools come through, but not targeted specifically at girls. - Laurel
 * From a convo with Liane a few months back: Computers for Kids had issues because of timing and transportation to Free Geek
 * Do you have suggestions for what day of the week would work best for this program?
 * Is June through July a good time of year to do this? We're thinking of making it a summer program so that it won't conflict with school.
 * Summer program is an excellent idea, fits in well with summer camp mentality - Ali
 * No problem with june or july - Laurel
 * We'd like your input on what to do if someone misses a class?
 * If someone misses a class, it's the responsibility of the other pairs to catch them up.
 * Suggestions on what age range we should do: just middle school? just high school? both?
 * I would say middle and high school age girls - Ali
 * Can both the girls and the mentors get computers?
 * All volunteers participating can earn computers, mentors and mentees alike - Ali & Laurel
 * Should an adoption class be required if they're doing build? What about command line? Can we help teach the adoption class as assistants?
 * I don't think the Adoption Class is necessary if they are completing the Build program - Ali
 * They do not need to take a regular adoption class, they'll have their own adoption class; the NPAs can help as assistants in adoption class - Laurel

Other Feedback

 * From Caitlin:
 * One thing you should know re:build is that it will be nearly impossible for volunteers to have a set amount of computers to build in a class. It can sometimes take an entire shift to QC 1 computer, while other times you can build 4 computers in the same amount of time.  I would suggest leaving the program end date open-ended, or base it on time as opposed to systems built.
 * From Laurel/Knowledge Bees:
 * We advise mentors and mentees to do the work (take up 2 slots per pair). If they all sign up, then they will fill up pre-build and build.
 * From Liane:
 * Mentors have lives, too — they work. Usually a mentor only does 1 hour per week, so set this expectation up right away that it'll be more.
 * Might want to seek more experienced mentor pairs so that they have an established relationship (otherwise, when it's first beginning, sometimes the kids forget that they're supposed to meet)
 * In order to become a mentor, there's a $60 background check. Work with Oregon Mentors; see if it can get waived? Apply for a grant??
 * Might want to shorten the shifts to 2.5 hours rather than 4 in order to cater to the kids' attention spans
 * Get 6 or 7 pairs to commit rather than just 4 initially because people might drop out