Closing the Gender Gap in Computer Science

We aim to address the marginalization of females, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming youth that occurs within Computer Science (CS) education and the workforce. We envision a world where all are inspired to become creators, change-makers, and leaders.

We believe that we all bear a responsibility to actively combat this inequality by creating new systems, and we plan to do just that. We will develop a K-12 CS program because schools must assume a critical role to create CS learning opportunities. Otherwise, students will continue to develop identities informed by a world where males far outpace female participation in this area. As a national example, only 28% of students who sat for the AP CS exam over the last three years identified as female. The disparity in Vermont is 8.5 % greater.

Developing a vertically coherent CS program will ensure that all early-adolescents have the opportunity to see themselves as creators, leaders, and computer scientists. If we wait until high school, we have missed a golden opportunity; the cognitive structures of eleven-year-olds are dramatically rearranging themselves as youth develop identity at full-tilt during this time, imagining themselves in adult roles. The data are clear; our world does not present females as integral to, and leaders of, the creative, technological workforce. Our project seeks to change that for our students, and—by sharing our work—for students in other schools, as well.

“Every girl deserves to take part in creating the technology that will change our world, and change who runs it.” 

Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace prize winner and educational activist.