According to the National Center for Education Statistics in the US, women just represent 18% of the university graduates in computer science. And, on top universities, this number falls to 14%. Computer science is the only STEM field in which female participation has dropped. The disparity between male and female participation in computer science continues at the professional level: 80% of top-level employees in Silicon Valley are male and only 10% of the technical positions are occupied by female. In Europe the situation is even worst as reported by the European Commission: “Of 1,000 women with a Bachelors or other first degree, only 29 hold a degree in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) (as compared to 95 men), and only 4 in 1000 women will eventually work in the ICT sector”.
The project addresses the gap between male and female participation in computer science education and careers by introducing early methodological learning interventions that make computer science attractive to all, girls and boys. The project introduces interventions that address the factors that lead girls to not choose computer science, namely a) misperception of the roles and professional careers; b) lack of interest in the discipline and c) insufficient skills.
Coding4Girls will validate the proposed learning framework through the design and software implementation of awareness raising serious games. Learners will be encouraged to design and code games that address specific world needs or issues.
The project will develop educator support content for integrating computer science related activities into instructional practices. Outcomes will be evaluated in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Slovenia and Portugal to provide a European perspective on the relevance, acceptance, and effectiveness of project methodologies and tools in diverse school, social, and business environments.
For more information, please, visit the project website
www.coding4girls.eu/.
Target group: Students between 9 – 13 years old (Primary and Secondary School)
Partnership:
1. Univerza v Ljubjani (Slovenia)
2. South-West University Neofit Rilski (Bulgaria)
3. Sveuciliste u Rijeci (Croazia)
4. Panepistimio Thessalias (Greece)
5. EU-Track (Italy)
6. Virtual Campus LDA (Portugal)
7. Istanbul Valiligi (Turkey)
ITA