NERD: Project 'Isn't It Stuff for Women?'
The NERD Project? (Isn't it for women?) is an IBM project in collaboration with the University of Padova
It aims to spread the passion for computer science and digital skills among female students attending the three-year period of high school. With free participation in training meetings and online workshops, the girls will learn in a simple, fast and fun way to design and program apps, experiencing what it means to work in computer science under the supervision of company tutors.
The intent is also to encourage female students to undertake university courses in the field of STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), until now considered purely male.
Applications for the 2025-2026 edition, by a contact lecturer, can be sent by 31 January 2026 by filling out the appropriate online procedure available on the page:
https://web.unipd.it/prenotazioniservizi/pcto/ (select CHOOSE THE STRUCTURE> NERD Project from the drop-down menu).
Applications:
Fill in the online application in all its parts and attach the Excel file - according to the model that can be downloaded from the procedure itself - entering the names and contacts of the students interested in participating.
At the end of the booking period, the number of applications accepted will be communicated to the proposing schools.
If not all requests can be accepted, it will be up to the proposing school to identify the names of the students to be involved in the project: to this end, it is suggested to give priority to candidates in the third and fourth grades with a view to early and preventive guidance.
ATTENTION: the course is offered by several different universities; the contents are the same, but each University adopts its own methods of collecting applications and managing documentation and contacts with schools and students.
It is therefore recommended to submit applications for a single university, to allow female students the best use of the activities and a smoother management of the project.
PCTO
It is possible to request the recognition of the project as a Path for Transversal Skills and Orientation by specifying it in the notes field of the booking form.
Opening plenary: 12 February 2026 3-5 pm
connection from 2.30 p.m. at ibm.biz/nerd_veneto
First workshop: 6 March 2026 3-6 pm
connection from 2.30 p.m.
Second workshop: 13 March 2026 3-6 pm
connection from 2.30 p.m.
Project delivery: April 13, 2026
Closing Plenary and Award Ceremony: announcementsat the end of May
Student Services Office - Orientation and Tutoring
via del Portello 19, 35129 Padova
Map
tel. 049.8275006 (at the time indicated below)
Email: orienta@unipd.it
The Student Services Office receives every day during opening hours to the public.
It also offers online consultations by appointment.