Computer Science Education: Building the Pipeline Ruthe Farmer, MBA Director of Strategic Initiatives National Center for Women & Information Technology Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Agenda  What is NCWIT?  “Unpacking” STEM: The Importance of Computer Science Education  The Current State of Computer Science Education  Sample Data Set: Congressional District 16  Intervention Efforts & Resources  Q & A

To increase women’s meaningful participation in computing & IT.  Identify why there aren't more women in IT  Identify what research and interventions can best attract and retain women – promising practices  Leverage existing, effective efforts & practices  Build a united, national coalition for reform The NCWIT Mission

The NCWIT 3-Prong Strategy

A coalition of over 200 organizations and growing: Universities Corporations Entrepreneurs K-12 organizations Affinity Groups NCWIT Members

COMPUTER SCIENCE Critical for Advancing Nearly All Other STEM Disciplines Physics Biology Chemistry Astronomy Materials Science Mathematics Biochemistry Molecular Biology Botany Anatomical Sciences Cellular Biology Immunology Zoology Genetics Physiology Toxicology Pharmacology Bioinformatics Ecology Population Biology Astrophysics Meteorology Atmospheric Sciences Statistics Geology Earth Sciences Aerospace Engineering Bioengineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Nuclear Engineering Petroleum Engineering Environmental Engineering Textile Sciences Industrial Engineering Electrical Engineering

The creation and adaptation of new technology A source of 21 st -century skills: design, critical thinking, logical reasoning, problem-solving The foundation for most innovation today, from biotech to economics to national security What Is Computer Science (CS)?

Robotics Graphics Game Development NetworksSketch RecognitionSoftware Systems Computer Science Is …

Computer Science Jobs Are Plentiful, Lucrative, Interesting, and Flexible Computing-related jobs rank among the top-10 fastest-growing occupations By 2018, there will be nearly 1.4 million computing- related jobs available Computing-related jobs have some of the highest entry-level salaries of any bachelor's degree Computer scientists enjoy a wide range of career options (e.g., film, finance, health care, journalism, security, music, etc.) Even in a recession, computing-related job postings are growing Bureau of Labor Statistics Monthly Labor Review 2009; The Conference Board, 2010

Computing Jobs Are Growing Faster than Other STEM Jobs

Women and Minorities Are an Untapped Resource for U.S. Computing Jobs

But U.S. K-12 CS Education Is Failing to Prepare Our Students for These Jobs College Board, The 5 th Annual AP Report to the Nation, February 4, 2009; CS course offerings (CSTA 2009 survey)

This Is a Educational Failing that Requires a National Intervention Source: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Make CS a core competency Diversify computing Better prepare formal & informal educators Without this intervention, CS education will continue to fade

One Startling Example… Population 651,619 (2000 census)

Example: Texas District 16, Rep. Reyes More Jobs, Fewer Interested Students

Example: Texas District 16, Continued More Jobs, Fewer Candidates with Degrees

Addressing the Problem Leverage the NCWIT full pipeline infrastructure of corps, K-12, academia Provide free, high quality, research based resources Raise awareness of the importance of computing education for all kids

Intervention: Programs Award for Aspirations in Computing Find & recognize girls active in computing Low-hanging fruit – keep them in the pipeline 455 ‘winners’ thus far 2668 girls registered in last round Anticipate 10,000+ girls by 2012 Provide support system & peer connections

Intervention: Programs CS Education Week Raise awareness of the critical role of computer science in an information economy Expose K-12 students to computer science Highlight the challenges facing CS education Engage supporters in the effort

Intervention: Collaborative Campaigns Dot DIVA Net New Women & Pacesetters Improving CS Education

Intervention: Resources NCWIT Talking Points Cards What to say to a young person about a career in IT? Why schools should teach computer science? Offering CS Workshops & Camps America’s Got Talent – 10K Teachers Project Download for free at

Intervention: Resources NCWIT Programs in a Box for K-12 Turnkey K-12 outreach solutions for educators and professionals. Computer Science Unplugged Outreach in a Box New! Roadshow in a Box Download for free at

Other Resources Are Available ACM/CSTA- CDC Tapia Conference and ABI Grace Hopper Celebration National Engineers Week AAUW Report “Why So Few?” White House Project Benchmarking Study

Questions?