English

Technika 10 is a network of girls-only technology clubs and courses based in the Netherlands.
Founded in 1986, when the first clubs started, there are now more than 600 clubs throughout the country. Local Technika 10 organizations provide courses in wood, metalwork, electronics, bicycle repair, mechanics, chemistry, solar energy and computers for young girls in the age of 8 - 15. A lot of primary schools in the Netherlands also use the educational material and trainings of Technika 10 Nederland.
By means of these activities, Technika 10 wants to generate girls' interest in technology and develop this further.
These activities take place in local schools or community centres, during school hours or after, in their leisure time.
Technika 10 Nederland, the national board, develops educational material and trainings, provides support, information and expertise to the individual clubs in more than 100 cities. There are also courses for teachers and other adults in the Open School Technika 10.

It's different for girls
Technika 10's aim is to increase the participation of women in technical professions.
It is a fact that technology classes in the educational system are mostly male-oriented. As a result, far more boys than girls proceed in technical training.
In the Netherlands only 10% of the total amount of technical students is female.
Girls need a different approach to stimulate their interest and self-esteem in technology. It is in this field that Technika 10 Nederland has built its thorough expertise. Technika 10 Nederland chose a practical approach to stimulate girls at an age young enough to influence their choice of a secondary school.
Technika 10-activities encourage girls to incorporate technology in their horizon of training and careers.

Why this name?
We took the word technika as the female equivalent of technique and 10 referred to the age group we concentrated on: girls from around 10 years old until girls in their teens.

Safe atmosphere
Technika 10 offers young girls from all cultural backgrounds technical activities that meet their specific needs and interests. In our courses, we create an inviting and safe atmosphere. The clubs' lack of competition make girls feel free tot experiment and make mistakes. Here they can get acquainted with a variety of fields in technology. Technika 10 girls learn by playing.

Attractive teaching tools
Technika 10 develops its own teaching tools and materials especially for women and girls.
All local clubs and al lot of schools use these attractive materials. Designed for Technika 10, they are available to everyone. Visit our webshop and have a look. The materials' language is mostly Dutch, but a few courses are developed for non-Dutch speakers.

For girls, by women
Club leaders are always women. This is part of the Technika 10 approach. With a technical background or not, these teachers of whom many work as volunteers serve as potential role models. Technika 10 Nederland offers many train-the-trainer programmes to enhance their expertise.
Professional women with a career in technology contribute to these programmes on a freelance basis.

How it works
There is a great variety in people starting Technika 10 clubs. They can be teachers, welfare workers or local government employees. Also private persons can start their own Technika 10 initiative.
The national board Technika 10 Nederland helps them with advice, fund raising, teaching materials and professional technical and didactical training.

Finance
Technika 10 Nederland works for ministries and branch associations. We also receive corporate sponsoring from companies and funds. The local Technika 10-organizations are often paid by the local government and local firms. The girls pay 2 or 3 euro per club-meeting.

International contacts
Technika 10 Nederland is in contact with technology-clubs for girls in Belgium, Germany, Norway, South-Africa, Suriname and Taiwan.

More information
Contact Technika 10 Nederland for more information. Please send an e-mail, telephone, or write to:
Mieneke Knottenbelt
Jennie Westendorp
Managing directors

Telephone +31(0)30-262 59 80
E-mail m.knottenbelt@technika10.nl , j.westendorp@technika10.nl
Faustdreef 181
3561 LG UTRECHT
The Netherlands.