What Problem Are You Solving?
Technology is changing everything - the way we work, communicate, govern and educate. Research has shown that girls want to make a positive difference in the world, YET girls are 5 times less likely than boys to consider a career in technology.
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that by 2020 there will be more than 1.4 million computing-related job openings, but at current rates of enrollment, only 30% of those jobs will be filled with U.S. computing graduates. We know there is untapped potential because 74% of girls in middle school say they are interested in studying STEM subjects, while women make up less than 20% of STEM field graduates.
Schools, universities and employers have been unable to bridge the gender gap through their outreach efforts. Women and girls continue to feel that computing fails to deliver on the three most important characteristics they want from a career: 1) being passionate about their jobs; 2) doing interesting work; 3) having the power to do good and make a difference.
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that by 2020 there will be more than 1.4 million computing-related job openings, but at current rates of enrollment, only 30% of those jobs will be filled with U.S. computing graduates. We know there is untapped potential because 74% of girls in middle school say they are interested in studying STEM subjects, while women make up less than 20% of STEM field graduates.
Schools, universities and employers have been unable to bridge the gender gap through their outreach efforts. Women and girls continue to feel that computing fails to deliver on the three most important characteristics they want from a career: 1) being passionate about their jobs; 2) doing interesting work; 3) having the power to do good and make a difference.
What is Your Solution?
There has been an increased focus on encouraging everyone to try coding. In 2012, Codecademy launched the Year of Code, boasting 200,000 sign-ups in the first month. In 2013, Code.org launched the Hour of Code with the audacious goal of getting 10 million students to code during the Computer Science Education week, December 9 -15. Through a media campaign that engaged high profile celebrities along with a solid set of online tutorials, they were extremely successful. In 7 days, 15 million students in 170 countries participated in the Hour of Code. Notably during that week, "more girls participated in computer science in US schools than in the last 70 years." The Hour of Code is still going strong with 34 million participants and counting.
The Tech-Girls Project is a next step in the movement to engage more students with computer science. In particular, it will address the burning question every girl eventually asks about learning to code – so what? A glaring omission in many resources for learning to code is helping students see how the skills translate to addressing real-world problems and finding the pathways available to real-world opportunities. In addition, female role models and mentors are often missing, so that girls don’t see themselves in these roles.
Geared toward middle and high school students, the Tech-Girls Project mobile app and website will fill in these missing pieces and be the glue that brings together the coding movements, educational pathways and real-world job opportunities. From a coding tutorial, students can explore related job opportunities & find role models and mentors. From a field of study the student is interested in, they can explore how technology fits in and access tutorials that give them a taste of what it’s like to work with that technology.
The Tech-Girls Project is a next step in the movement to engage more students with computer science. In particular, it will address the burning question every girl eventually asks about learning to code – so what? A glaring omission in many resources for learning to code is helping students see how the skills translate to addressing real-world problems and finding the pathways available to real-world opportunities. In addition, female role models and mentors are often missing, so that girls don’t see themselves in these roles.
Geared toward middle and high school students, the Tech-Girls Project mobile app and website will fill in these missing pieces and be the glue that brings together the coding movements, educational pathways and real-world job opportunities. From a coding tutorial, students can explore related job opportunities & find role models and mentors. From a field of study the student is interested in, they can explore how technology fits in and access tutorials that give them a taste of what it’s like to work with that technology.
Why You?
As a woman in tech for over 25 years, I was shocked to learn in 2010 that the rate of women graduating with CS degrees fell from 37% in the late 80’s to 18%. I thought I was paving the way for more women after me, not less! I am passionate about addressing the gender gap issue in tech and have become a trusted source for curating and disseminating up-to-date research in this area. I've also done my own research into what localities can do to expand the STEM job preparedness pipeline.
In 2012, I founded Tech-Girls with a mission to empower girls to imagine and achieve their future dreams in our tech-savvy world. Through this organization, I have piloted a variety of local programs to engage girls in positive, community-building, hands-on experiences with technology.
In 2013, I pitched a version of this idea to Startup WeekendEDU. During that weekend, our team created a prototype, researched educational impact, validated with customers and built a business model and we were awarded 2nd place. Since then, I have been refining the idea and making connections with a variety of stakeholders and content providers that can help move this project forward and scale it nationally and internationally.
In 2012, I founded Tech-Girls with a mission to empower girls to imagine and achieve their future dreams in our tech-savvy world. Through this organization, I have piloted a variety of local programs to engage girls in positive, community-building, hands-on experiences with technology.
In 2013, I pitched a version of this idea to Startup WeekendEDU. During that weekend, our team created a prototype, researched educational impact, validated with customers and built a business model and we were awarded 2nd place. Since then, I have been refining the idea and making connections with a variety of stakeholders and content providers that can help move this project forward and scale it nationally and internationally.
