CNet

Getting women interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects in their early years and sustaining that interest through college is key to addressing an endemic gender imbalance in the technology sector. Programs such as Qualcomm's Qcamp coding camp, which offers instruction in coding, app design, and robotics, seek to nurture STEM interest in young girls. Girls Who Code reports 74 percent of middle school girls say they are interested in STEM, yet only 0.3 percent of high school girls elect computer science as a college major. Experts say intimidation by a classroom where males are a majority is one factor discouraging girls' pursuit of STEM degrees. Harvey Mudd College president Maria Klawe cites this trend as a clear argument for changing how schools teach computer science. Her school is attempting to reform education to attract more women, for example by including more women in brochures, and amending introductory courses to stress programming as an outlet for creative problem-solving. Carnegie Mellon University is engaged in a similar pursuit by eliminating coding experience as an admissions requirement and setting up mentorship programs for women. To read further, please visit http://www.cnet.com/news/girls-just-want-to-code-solving-for-xx/.