Acting locally: engaging girls in computer technology

Summary form only given. The dwindling number of women in the computer and information sciences field, as well as in colleges and universities is not arguable. In the field of computer programming alone, statistics on women in the labor force show that women comprised 26.7% of the field in 2005, but only 22.0% in 2010 [1]. In 1997-98, 26.7% of the bachelor degrees in computer science and information science were granted to women, but by 2007- 2008, that percentage had slipped to 17.6% [2]. This gender gap has been under discussion since the 1980\´s [3]. Today, to counteract this gap, programs to attract middle- and high-school girls to technology are springing up across the country. These programs can be offered relatively inexpensively, utilizing the technology, faculty and staff at local colleges and universities. Some of these programs emphasize academic curricula for younger girls; for example, see [4] and [5]. Other programs focus on curricula for college women instead; for example, see [6]. The focus in this panel is on girls (middle school to high school), and on activities other than traditional academic curricula. The panelists all have experience in running a summer activity for girls to introduce them to technology, computing, and programming. Such "girl tech" activities are reported in the literature; for example, see [7] and [8]. The "Acting Locally" panel will present success (and a few failure) stories with this workshops, as well as how to create technology camp. Curriculum ideas and making technology accessible for ages 12 through 18 will be discussed. For interested ISTAS participants, a half-day technology camp will be offered on Monday afternoon so that everyone can experience a "Girl Tech" workshop.