NEIT2008-2C

Where are the Girls in Technology/Computer Science Present: Bill Knauer (moderator), Verne Becker, Erin Mumford, Lois Bailey, Sylvia Martinez, Hope Chafian, [late arrival] Andrew Gardiner Packer, Nightingale, Brearley ... very few girls in CS classesGood book -- Unlocking the Clubhouse: Women in Computing Why don't girls "get it"? Sylvia: they do, but they think and approach the whole field differently. They are negotiators rather than rule-followers. They need to know that it's not a boy's club -- they must be hugely encouraged and affirmed. Can't decorate room with guy/geeky stuff. Erin: she's engaging in active marketing, asking her key students to talk it up. Sylvia: better to use real kids from your own school (or alums) rather than bringing in outside women in tech and saying they're cool. The girls don't believe it. Bill: both boys and girls seemed to like Processing -- girls liked the visuals, boys liked to crack the code Lois: thinks many daughters are getting negative messages about CS from their parents. Erin says she tells parents NOT to say that to their kids. Tell parents and kids that CS helps you get into college. Truly sets you apart among college applicants. Verne: referring to Prensky, girls are already configuring their iPhones, iPods, etc., and maybe we can draw on that experience to create a programming class for iPhone apps, whatever to encourage them to dig deeper into the language. Sylvia: Why isn't CS being more incorporated into the sciences and other academic departments -- statistics, algorythms, etc. Verne: How do people like Scratch? Erin, Hope, Sylvia -- the girls LOVE it. The online posting and community aspect is particularly appealing. Could be used more to build enthusiasm in grades 4 and middle school. Hope: thinks NetLogo is useful in US context -- physics/science. She used it successfully in 9th grade. Sylvia/Erin/Bill: need to come up with a way to make it required part of curriculum, attached to other departments and given credit. Modern language? Bill: administration is supportive, but no one is outraged. Maybe we need to assemble arguments for making CS a requirement for graduation, etc. Erin has a proposal prepared by colleagues for CS program -- she will post. Her angle is to push the idea of problem solving. Bill: survey of alums said maybe 50 percent did not even take laptops to their college classes. He expects to see that change. Sylvia: recommends sitting down a bunch of girls with pizza, talking to them directly about what would make them more interested, changing perceptions. Google Girls in Engineering Day? Great opportunity, badly botched by Google -- they need Erin and other educators to help them set up an effective day. Andrew: teaches a game design class at The School; more social aspects of gaming seem to be attractive to girls, even the creating and dressing up of characters gets them excited. You need to have a strong pitch to bring the girls in. Bill Knauer's notes: Girls won't compete for resources. Girls negotiate rather than figure out the rules. Don't puzzle out rules. Arranging the environment so it doesn't feel like a boys club. Marketing the program - bring in role models Message at home from mothers - fear, lack of confidence - reach out to families College angle It's become vocational. Programming - people telling machines what to do, we already do it regularly (Prensky) Scratch - in fourth grade - big with girls - community piece Net Logo Integrate with Science/Physics Requirement - compare to other subjects Pizza party focus group Alumnae in computer science Google ed sessions for students Single out girls with potential: You can do this. Game Star Mechanic - Game School - Andrew Gardener The Einstein Effect