Computer science is a STEM discipline, so it comes with a stereotype: it’s more of a boy thing. While the gender gaps in other fields have shrunk over the years, the gap in computer science has not. The field actually saw a dramatic increase in females in the 1980’s, but has since dropped back down to abysmal levels, with the percent of female computer science majors hovering a little under 20% since then. There has been a lot of research (and a lot of backlash) over this issue, but the basic facts are pretty clear: girls don’t think computer science is for them.
There are several simple yet important ways to address this issue, and everyone can help. Girls in middle school are at the most sensitive age for losing interest in STEM, so friends, family, and teachers should take special care to encourage interest in these fields. Educators & school administrators should implement after school STEM programs and provide strong role models as well. And as always, all students should be taught the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, whether it be academic or societal.
