Bridging gaps, breaking stereotypes: women in computer science

• Published in: SchoolNet magazine p. 8
• Main Author: Rumpf, Angie
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa Quadrant Educational Enterprises Inc 01.01.2000
• Subjects: Computer science; Education; Women in science & technology
• ISSN: 1494-7331; 1206-159X

Yet despite the exponential growth in the computer science field, students are showing a marked lack of interest in pursuing careers in CS. Forget "brain drain" -- the bigger problem is the shortage of qualified applicants for jobs available in high technology fields. This problem is partly due to the gender imbalance in the CS workforce. The truth of the matter is far fewer girls than boys are enrolled in high school and post-secondary CS classes. In hopes of narrowing the gap between enrollment rates of boys and girls in CS classes, [Gail Crombie] joined forces in 1996 with Robert Long, Manager of Education Interaction for Nortel Networks, and computer science educator Colin Anderson of Earl of March Secondary School in Kanata, Ontario. The trio decided to offer girls an intriguing alternative by designing and implementing an all-female Grade 11 CS class at Anderson's school -- a class where girls would feel comfortable enough to take risks, gain confidence in their abilities and express their ideas more assertively. Industry Canada's Information Highway Applications Branch provided funding and web server space. How about the girls? Plenty of third-person commentary is available about the involvement of girls in CS and how all-female classes can encourage female students to enroll in this area of study. But what do the girls themselves have to say? In what follows, two university CS majors reminisce about their high school experiences and discuss their thoughts on women in the field today.