Ella Hilton

Abstract:

A compilation of reputable literature suggests that there the lack of female involvement in computer science (CS) is detrimental to the field. The disconnect between females and CS is seen as early as elementary school, and is not due to their ability to succeed in the subject, but rather the perceptions and stigmas surrounding it. Although the issue is very widespread, this paper will focus on female interest in CS at Hampton Middle School (HMS) specifically. The two guiding points for the paper include 1) the idea that female role models are thought to be crucial in the advancement of closing the gender division and 2) Harvey Mudd College’s approach to female CS learning. The measure of each subject’s CS interest was collected through pre and post surveys during the “Creative Computer Science” workshops led by the researcher. From these surveys, the researcher dissected the findings based on if the girls’ interest increased as a whole, and then if their interests increased specifically due to creative problem solving and/or the female role model. The paper ultimately argues that yes, HMS girls are more interested in computer science after engaging in creative problem solving led by a female role model.