The University of Hartford serves 352 economically disadvantaged and underserved middle and high school youth in Hartford, CT. The project will enable participants to gain IT skills in computer engineering and web applications. Partners include the University of Hartford Career Counseling Center, Computers for Communities, and Hartford Public Schools.

"IT Girl" is an innovative youth-based program designed to engage middle and high school girls in building competency and interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers through collaborative technology and science-intensive projects in game development and information visualization. The project triangulates Girlstart's successful program structure of after-school activities, Saturday and summer technology camps, intensive parent involvement, field experiences, with innovative curricula in visualization and game development.

The "Global Challenge Award ITEST Program" will engage young women and minority high school students in a series of integrated STEM activities. International teams of approximately 200 14-17 year old students will participate in the program receiving 280 hours of mentoring and tutoring from research scientists, engineers, mathematicians and project leaders. Eight to 10 team challenges will be designed to build students' prerequisite knowledge and skills to succeed in the annual GCA competition.