Computer Science & Information Technology Symposium - Norfolk, Virginia March 4, 2004 - Sandy Graham, University of Waterloo CS Girls Rock! Sandy Graham.

Computer Science & Information Technology Symposium - Norfolk, VirginiaMarch 4, 2004 - Sandy Graham, University of Waterloo

CS Girls Rock!

Sandy Graham

University of Waterloo


Attracting Female Students to CS

Well documented problem pervasive in North America

The highest percentage of female students studying CS occurred in the mid/late '80s averaged 30-35% enrollment currently 10 - 20%

enrollment Two major problems

lower numbers entering post-secondary program

higher attrition rates "the incredible shrinking

pipeline"


Why is diversity important?

“First, engineering is a very creative profession. That is not the way it is usually described, but down to my toes I believe that engineering is profoundly creative. Second, as in any creative profession, what comes out is a function of the life experience of the people who do it. Finally, sans diversity, we limit the set of life experiences that are applied, and as a result, we pay an opportunity cost – a cost in products not built, in designs not considered, in constraints not understood, in processes not invented.”

William A. Wulf, President of the National Academy of Engineers


Why are girls staying away?

Multiple theories SIGCSE Bulletin inroads

Special Issue - Women in Computing (June 2002) Unlocking the Clubhouse - Margolis & Fisher

Two major factors stereotypical image of Computer Science and

computer Scientists introduction of the personal computer percentages in Mauritius

confidence level self-evaluations for introductory programming courses


Debunking the "geek" myth

Image is everything When do girls turn off the

computer? It's the lifestyle not just the

hairstyle that's unappealing Role models

The stepping stone philosophy

Men can be role models too! You don't have to be superwoman


"I have confidence in me!"

Who do you ask for help? Demystifying the machine

Classroom atmosphere Critical mass issues Belief in innate ability Previous programming

experience high school course

experience more influential for femalestudents


Girls and Boys are Different Tools vs. Toys Collaboration vs. Competition Balanced vs. Single-minded

Computer Science is big enough for the both of them

Don't try to turn the girls into boys Don't lie to them


A poor hypothesis …

The introduction to OO-programming course culminates with a final project

Traditionally the final project has been a game simulation

According to research, female students do not like computer games as much as male students

The project for Fall 2003 was a Landscape Design Planner

We surveyed the students to see which project topic they preferred

Total Responses

82

321

52

125

27

193

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Female Students Male Students

Female Students - non CS Male Students - non CS

Female Students - CS major Male Student - CS major


Overall/Male/Female

Overall

19%28%

8%45%

Mildly Preferred ApplicationStrongly Preferred ApplicationMildly Preferred GameStrongly Preferred Game


CS vs. Non-CS

Female Students-Non CS

4%

29%38%29%

Male Students - Non CS

10%43%

28%

19%

Mildly Preferred ApplicationStrongly PreferredMildly Preferred GameStrongly Preferred Game


A new hypothesis …

The image of computer science is incorrect both male and

female students are misled

First year university is too late

Create a reputationin your courses Soft skills are

important


Imperial Oil Seminar in Computer Science for Young Women - CS Girls Rock!CS Girls Rock!

A week-long seminar designed to spark interest in CS over 800 applications each of the past two years other camps

Goals Spark interest in Computer Science Show how CS can be applied to many different fields Present positive role models Debunk negative stereotypes

Grade 9 and 10 girls prompted to apply by their math teachers Participants from across Canada No computer science background required


Core Curriculum - Programming

Programming using Tcl/Tk

scripting language Trivia program &

drawing program variables selection repetition subprograms

More than just GUIs


Core Curriculum - Digital Hardware

Digital Hardware Computer engineering

principles Binary number system

and Boolean logic Basic circuits on

breadboards Intro to gates Building basic circuits


The Program - Supplementary Curriculum Hands-on activities

P.C. disassembly Algorithms Graphics Finite State Machines

Lectures History Bioinformatics Artificial Intelligence User Interfaces Question Answering Computer Theory

Dynamic speakers and interesting topics

Grad student research panel


Computer Scientists are Fun

Social activities Free stuff!

conference like CD

Free time house parents

Banquet withfamily and faculty

Friends for a lifetime


Conclusions

The trend must be reversed The image must be

changed Embrace the diversity High school teachers are

important role models and resources

Like Computer Science itself, attracting more female students to the discipline is a tough but rewarding task

Contact:

[email protected]/High_School_Liaison

Computer Science & Information Technology Symposium - Norfolk, Virginia March 4, 2004 - Sandy Graham, University of Waterloo CS Girls Rock! Sandy Graham.

Documents

computer science background

singleminded computer

computer games

university of waterloo

personal computer percentages

noncs slide

year university

important slide