How Do We Get Young Women Interested in Computer Science?

I have always wondered why there more women aren’t involved in computer science. Is it because computer science tends to be more found by men? According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 1984-1985 academic year, 37% of women were invovled in computer science as undergraduate students. This number dropped drastically as the users of computers at home became more common. Since the historical reasoning and misconception has overturned, it is now time to think about how to take steps towards involving more women in the industry.

While the number of females studing computer, science is at an all-time low, there must be action taken place. We must remember the root of the problem should start at an early age to rectify it. Ways some educators and parents can work to increase the rate of young girls to gain interest in computer science and STEAM related subjects are by:

  • Creating an equal learning enviorment: Since boys tend to talk more in class, it is up to the teacher to make more females students engage and bring them into learning more and having more class-wide discussions. If the teacher does this, it will increase the chances of girls to engage in the subject that matters.
  • Enacting mentotship programs: Most girls that are entering the field of computer science are likely to face way more resistance than in any subject areas. Adults can provide great examples to be strong successful females to thrive in their careers. It does not matter whether the mentorship programs are at high school or college level. If there is a speaker or using female leaders for both educators and parents to give these girls a sense of confidence while pursing a historically male dominate field when giving them role models.
  • Making it approchable: While we are pushing to encourage more girls’ to be interested in computer science and gain momentum, a ton of programs have been created to help them adjust to the field. These programs are SciGirls, Girls Who Code, Girls Inc., Girlstart, and GEMS.

It does not matter whether the operting this at the middle school, high school or even college level these can be pivotal in both encourahing and sustaining young girls to pursue these topics. These young girls should feel like they should be able to fit in and be encouraged to join the male dominate career because theu have to choice to do so if they are encouraged.

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