High-school women with outstanding aptitude and interest in computing are encouraged to apply by October 26 for the NCWIT Awards for Aspirations in Computing, sponsored by Bank of America at the national level and Microsoft at the local level.  Winners and runners-up are encouraged to pursue computing education and careers through recognition, prizes, and access to an online network of supporters, like-minded peers, and tech-related opportunities.

And high-school educators who encourage women’s interest and participation in technology pursuits are encouraged to apply by November 9 for the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Awards, sponsored by AT&T.

To date, the National Center for Women in IT (NCWIT) awards have recognized nearly 4,700 high-school students and 150 educators.

Empow Studios in Lexington combines technology, arts, and play to help young learners discover and build on their creative talents.  Weekend morning classes are in a club format, where kids (ages 7-12, at any skill level) can sign up at any time via rolling admission.  Saturdays:  Minecraft Club and Video Game Design Club.  Sundays:  Programming & Robotics Club and 3D Club.  For more information, visit empow.me or call 617-395-7527.

The Mathematics Workshop in Cambridge, which offers math enrichment classes for students in Grades 1-8, has a few remaining openings this fall for Grades 4-6 on Mondays or Tuesdays, 5-6PM.  For more information, or to be on the wait-list for future classes, contact Beth O’Sullivan at bethos@alum.mit.edu.  Beth is founder of the Mathematics Workshop and a co-founder of Science Club for Girls.

To encourage the next generation of National Park visitors and supporters, the U.S. government is offering a free “Every Kid in a Park” pass to every 4th-grade student this year.  The passes are valid until August 31.  Go online to get your pass and/or to donate to the non-profit National Park Foundation to support this initiative.

Middle- and high-school students with experience (or very strong interest) in technical innovation are invited to apply for the L3 Innovation Challenge, an intensive program of classes by Youth CITIES focused on the convergence of engineering, computing, and life sciences for innovation in healthcare.  Selected students will meet in Cambridge from 5PM to 8PM on Wednesdays from October 7 through November 18 for guest speakers, mentoring, discussion, and prototyping.  These testimonials give a sense of the program.  The cost is $395 + $75, and financial aid is available as needed.  Apply online by September 21.  (The program description says the deadline is September 25, but the application says September 21, so be early to play it safe.)  Students will be selected based on quality of their applications and notified by October 1.

Destination Imagination encourages teams of learners to have fun, take risks, focus, and frame challenges while incorporating STEM, the arts, and service learning.  Last year, more than 100 students from 9 different Newton schools participated in regional and state DI competitions, joining over 1.5 million youth who have participated in DI over the last 30 years worldwide.   Parents and students are invited to these information sessions:

• Tuesday, September 15 at Countryside Elementary (191 Dedham Street)
• Thursday, September 17 at Mason Rice Elementary (149 Pleasant Street)
• Monday, September 28 at Horace Mann Elementary (687 Watertown Street)

If you have any questions, or are unable to attend one of the sessions, please email Matthew Miller at matthew@newtondi.org.

Science Club for Girls is a non-profit dedicated to catalyzing a diverse and inclusive STEM community by providing free, experiential STEM programs for girls from underrepresented communities — and by maximizing their meaningful interaction with women STEM mentors.  SCFG serves girls in Grades K-12 throughout Boston, Cambridge, Newton, and Lawrence — fostering excitement, confidence, and literacy in STEM.  The Newton program meets on Saturdays in the Dane Science Building of Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill (see location and schedule).  Fall applications are open through September 16, and spaces are filling fast.  Go online to learn more about — and apply for — their K-5 programs and their teen programs (Grades 8-12).  For more information, email scfg@scienceclubforgirls.org.