NCWIT (National Center for Women in Technology) is a non-profit community of more than 650 universities, companies, non-profits and government organizations nationwide working to correct the imbalance of gender diversity in technology and computing.

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors high school women who are active and interested in computing and technology, and encourages them to pursue their passions. This multi-tiered competition includes recognition at the national level and at the local level. Awards, both national and regional, encourage the computing aspirations of young women, introduce them to leadership opportunities in the field, and generate visibility for women’s participation in technology fields.

Any U.S. high school woman in grades 9 through 12 is eligible to apply, if she also meets both of the following criteria:

Aspirations Award recipients are chosen for their aptitude and interest in computing, proven leadership ability, academic performance, and plans for post-secondary education. Applicants for the national award are automatically considered for the local Western Missouri & Kansas affiliate award.  A parent or guardian must endorse each application. A sponsor/teacher endorsement is highly encouraged.

National Award winners receive an engraved award for both the student and the student’s school. In addition, winners receive a cash prize and an elaborate swag bag with tech gadgets and goodies and a trip to attend the National Awards ceremony.

Additionally, each Affiliate Award winner receives recognition at an award event, an engraved award for both her and her school, scholarship and internship opportunities, access to a peer network of technical young women in the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Community and various other prizes — computing resources, gadgets, sponsor-branded swag, and more.

To apply for the award, high school women must first register online. Information about the registration process is at https://www.aspirations.org/aspirations-computing-application-step-step-guide. You may preview the application in English or in Spanish before you get started. You may also want to review the application how-to guide. (https://www.aspirations.org/aspirations-computing-application-step-step-guide). Parents can review the approval how-to guide as well (https://www.aspirations.org/aspirations-computing-parentguardian-approval-step-step-guide) For frequently asked questions about applying, approvals, and endorsements, please visit our FAQ page (https://www.aspirations.org/frequently-asked-questions).

Computing teachers are also recognized in this award cycle.  The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award publicly celebrates high school educators who encourage girls’ interest and participation in technology pursuits. Educator Award recipients form a national community of peers, share practices, and empower other educators to encourage the participation of girls in computing. Find out more at https://www.aspirations.org/participate/educators.

The Western Missouri and Kansas Affiliate Award winners will be honored on February 8, 2019 at the Kauffman Conference Center in Kansas City. The 2019 Western Missouri and Kansas Affiliate Award ceremony is sponsored by NetApp of Wichita and Northwest Missouri State University.

The deadline for application completion is November 5, 2018.  Apply soon!!