Programming Skills are Not Enough: a Greedy Strategy to Attract More Girls to Study Computer Science

TL;DR

This paper discusses a strategic approach and programs aimed at increasing high school girls' interest in ICT and computer science to address gender imbalance and promote technological innovation.

Contribution

It introduces a specific strategy and program details to attract more girls to study computer science, emphasizing early awareness and engagement.

Findings

Programs increase girls' interest in ICT

Early awareness can influence career choices

Practical project examples demonstrate effectiveness

Abstract

It has been observed in many studies that female students in general are unwilling to undertake a course of study in ICT. Recent literature has also pointed out that undermining the prejudices of girls with respect to these disciplines is very difficult in adolescence, suggesting that, to be effective, awareness programs on computer disciplines should be offered in pre-school or lower school age. On the other hand, even assuming that large-scale computer literacy programs can be immediately activated in lower schools and kindergartens, we can't wait for >15-20 years before we can appreciate the effectiveness of these programs. The scarcity of women in ICT has a tangible negative impact on countries' technological innovation, which requires immediate action. In this paper, we describe a strategy, and the details of a number of programs coordinated by the Engineering and Computer Science Departments at Sapienza University, to make high school girl students aware of the importance of new technologies and ICT. In addition to describing the theoretical approach, the paper offers some project examples.