Project Mc2 - Stand back I'm going to try science!

Not since the Software Engineer Barbie have I been so happy to see a toy that encourages positive views on women in STEM. Bonus points because Project Mc2 is actually also a learning toy.

Project Mc2 is a multimedia campaign to encourage girls in science and technology and give them some adorkable role models to aspire to.

Netflix has started a straight to streaming video series where 3 young girls use science to solve problems and save the day. The girls are cute and savvy and excellent role models for young girls - the group are well dressed and well spoken. There's no dungeon geeks or lab coat tropes here just tween stars in a familiar youth programming format. There might possibly be a touch of manic pixie dream girl fashion sense... 3 episodes are available on Netflix and included with a subscription the service.

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Along with the series an app and a toy series have also been released. The app is an investigator point and click adventure that challenges the user to act like an Mc2 girl and solve mysteries. Sadly only for iOS so far you can download it on the Apple Store



The toys are a wonderful range of the characters from the series that combine just about everything one could want in a toy - fashion doll, science experiment and a range of interests including chemistry, tech and fabrication.

These dolls offer the recipient the chance to experience what interests them in the toy rather than dictating what element should be of interest. Child safe chemistry ingredients included but adult supervision probably advised. Additional experiments can also be bought independent of the dolls including a lab kit, interactive devices and more. Buy them on Amazon or at your local toy store.

Managing bias with free resources

Unconscious biases are those triggers that without our control influence our actions. They might be the job you expect someone to have because of their appearance or the intelligence you anticipate a candidate has due to their accent.

For under represented minorities in the work place biases have real and lasting negative affects - work is attributed to another colleague, skills are down played and interviews are unsuccessful. This can be due to any manner of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, appearance, age or other diversity dimension.

When we move away from seeing diversity as more than just a pipeline issue bias management is an effective tool in finding the unfair and negative actions people commit due to their biases. For many companies today it is one of the most important trends in people management.

At Google unconscious bias training is taken very seriously with over 25000 employees having attended training. The Google bias workshop is available for free on YouTube:



Facebook is also now releasing all of it's managing bias training online. You can watch from their page via Vimeo at http://managingbias.fb.com/ Their online training is comprehensive and covers stereotypes, likeability, performance expectations and the business case for inclusiveness.

The Brain Scoop discusses the trials and tribulation of being a female STEM Video Blogger

Unsurprisingly I have a lot of Nerd Girls on my social media and one of them pointed me at this simply excellent discussion from the host of The Brain Scoop, a YouTube channel I must start watching. Being a female content creator on the web can be a sometimes daunting but always fulfilling experience. So come on Ladies, ignore the haters and lets get some more STEM content rolling.

YouTube Geek Week: Girl Gamer Worship

If you're not following along YouTube is having a "geek week" special with SuperHeroes, gaming, blockbusters and more. This tribute to gamer girls tickled my fancy.

 

Retro future documentary The Power of Glove

If there's one thing I love more than computer games and documentaries it's documentaries about computer games. Throw in a healthy dose of 1980s retro futurism and this documentary on the Power Glove is sure to be the biggest hit since King of Kong.

Talks at Google: Pixar on Monsters University

Here at the Googleplex we get a lot of guest lecturers come and speak. Unsurprisingly many of them are from great geek culture icons. Here's a great conversation with some of the Pixar staff on Monsters University the new animated feature film.

Superman tells Warcraft anecdote on Leno

I'll take Batman over Superman any day of the week, but when geek hunk Henry Cavill - Superman in the new Man of Steel movie - tells a story about playing WoW on Leno he wins my heart over just a little more.

 

Lego movie may be more than just a product integration fantasy

If you're like me when you hear the words "Lego Movie" you're thinking "Battleship". Flashy Hollywood weirdness designed to destroy your fond childhood memories.

Think again.

The movie seems to tie into the humour and story telling success of the Lego video games and with a killer cast including Morgan Freeman, Will Arnett and Will Ferrell it looks like this is the next animated film to look forward to after Despicable Me 2.

 

Chief of Australian Army delivers amazing Anti Harassment speech

A fantastic public message; not only because diversity and a culture against harassment is important but presses on the idea that strength and power need not rely on putting down others. Sets a wonderful example for military service culture.

Ratchet and Clank animated feature promises Captain Qwark hilarity

I have lost countless hours, weeks even to the glorious gadget obsessive Ratchet and Clank Games. A game series I love so much it made me buy a PS3. It is also a game series with wonderful character design and delightful family friendly humour. I couldn't be happier to hear they're bringing out an animated feature with all the giggles of the games.

 

For bonus content here's a picture of some of the awesome nerd girl character design that the Ratchet and Clank team showed off at PAX Prime 2012

If you haven't played the games, start with the originals given an HD facelift with the Ratchet & Clank Collection . This is easily my favourite game series of all time, if  you haven't played it you must.

New Ghibli film promises up beat post war Japan nostalgia

When you think Ghibli and World War II you think Grave of the Fireflies possibly the saddest movie of all time. Thankfully this time around the legendary anime studio has turned its hand to a more uplifting story of a young girl whose hope never dies that her father might yet return from the war. Yet again Disney are distributing the English version with an amazing voice cast including Gillian Anderson, Chris Noth (oh Mr Big!), Beau Bridges and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Using Children's movies to teach chivalry and respect

Whether you're a parent, a writer or an artist this talk looks at the role of women in children's entertainment. It explore positive role models, the lessons of chivalry and respect that are taught to both boys and girls. Worth a watch.

If nothing else I hope this draws more attention to the Bechdel Test for entertainment:


1. It has to have at least two [named] women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

It's sad how few films released today reach these very simple criteria.

Girl Rising documentary highlights the struggle for women's education

Girl Rising is a documentary and movement designed to highlight the barriers to education experienced by girls around the world. Find a viewing or organise your own at http://10x10act.org/girl-rising/

Gamers going gaga over Ghibli Game

If you're a gamer you know that Ni No Kuni the game brought to you by Japanese anime legend Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli was released in the US this week. Gamers are going crazy for it, the collector's edition is long sold out with many petitioning for more to be released. Sadly only the PS3 version was released due to issues with the magic book required for the DS version but those lucky enough to get a collectors edition walk away with the book reardless.

With music and artwork completed by the Studio Ghibli team but just how pretty is it? Damn pretty.



For anime fans and RPG gamers this is the game to buy for PS3.

Dance your PHD 2012 Winner (Video)

Honestly I can't believe that I didn't know this existed, not since I first saw the world Air Guitar championships have I been so impressed at the awesome silliness of a competition.

In an attempt to bring some light hearted fun (and maybe some less glazed eyes) Gonzolabs bring the competition together each year with a cash prize and more importantly a free trip to TEDxBrussels for the winner.



This video has all the joy of slightly awkward nerds, dancing queens and people pretending to be atoms in an alloy.

This is my world: Inside Google's Datacenters

I am lucky enough to work in Infrastructure at Google and know first hand the beauty of our fleet, for the first time Google is making video, photos and information on our data center design public.

You can view gorgeous photos, take a video tour or even self guide yourself using StreetView.

I for one have been waiting excitedly for this all to be made public so you can share in the nerdgasmic photos. For added kudos noted technical history writer Steven Levy was invited to speak to our infrastructure leads, you can see his story on Wired. 

More at http://www.google.com/about/datacenters/ where you can find all the newly released media as well as a historical look at our approach to ecological design and innovative platforms.

Education at Google Video on Women in CS

New Animal Crossing 3DS content revealed (video)

It's not secret that many gamer girls love simulation and community games and I like many of my female gamer friends am a total Animal Crossing junkie. I've owned it on 3 different platforms now and with the release of this new content you can believe I'll be finally giving in to a 3DS so I can play the new version.



The new game will allow the player to act as mayor of the town with greater control than ever before. You will be able to set the opening times and types of shops that are in your town, design town features like bridges and seats. All this on top of expanding existing features such as more clothing design control and better houses. Along with all the features announced with the Japanese release information on the US release has also surfaced.

HTTPS and SSL Explained in Plain English

Ever had to explain secure web browsing to a less computer literate friend or relative? This video tutorial is one of a number of great items from the Google Privacy team perfect to send to the security paranoid aunt in your life.


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Missed Girl Geek Dinners at Google Sydney? Watch the speeches on YouTube

Recently I was involved in helping run a Girl Geek Dinner event at the Google Sydney office and we had an overwhelming response and a great night. It even made the official Google Australia blog!

If you weren't able to attend or watch the Livestream you might be interested to know that both the key note speech from Mary Gardiner from the Ada Initiative and lightning talks from some of our female Google software engineers and the organiser of Girl Geek Dinners are available on YouTube. Apparently I'm in them, complete with bad jokes.

Keynote:



Lightning Talks:



Love this? Live in Sydney? Come to our next event! You can read all about Girl Geek Dinners on the official blog.