RESEARCH ON ATTRACTING GIRLS INTO COMPUTING Lecia Barker Senior Research Scientist, NCWIT 2012 NCSU Tapestry Workshop July 18, 2012

Overview of talk Why are there so few girls in high school computing? What do we know about girls and their influencers? Forming messages that appeal to girls Locating girls, conveying your message Myths, misconceptions, and underrepresentation: Address them or not? Evaluate outcomes: Please! Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

WHY ARE THERE SO FEW GIRLS IN HIGH SCHOOL COMPUTING CLASSES? Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

Lack of Information and Misconceptions Computer science is… Programming? Keyboarding? Using software? Few students, parents, or teachers know what computer scientists do I don’t wanna sit in front of a computer all day

Stereotypes Reduce Confidence and Interest Cultural belief: Disconnect between “feminine” and “technical” Stereotype threat: Fear of confirming stereotypes about my group Hinders performance Affects choices and aspirations Set harsh standards and opt out if not met Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

Interest, values, expectation affect choice Interest Expected positive outcome Achievement activity choices Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

Girls studied computing when they had Early, positive experiences with computing Adult encouragement Positive female role models Information about what computing professionals actually do Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT GIRLS AND THEIR INFLUENCERS?

Males and females have mostly similar interests Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 Women are more interested than men in protecting the environment Women will work for less pay than men Men are more interested than women in war & military technology

Young girls’ career interests Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 Source: Survey responses, 3,500 middle school girls at a science, technology, engineering recruiting event;

Re-slicing the pie: Top job categories Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

Present goals: High school girls’ intended majors Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 Source: College Board, College-Bound Seniors, 2006

Present goals: High school boys’ intended majors Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 Source: College Board, College-Bound Seniors, 2006

What typically influences teen girls? Belonging, with potential to have status in the group Role fulfillment - conforming to expectations Not conforming Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

Who are the influencers of girls? Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 Family Friends Teachers Counselors Other adult leaders Celebrities Boys Sons: Plan for future family responsibilities Daughters: Be happy in career choice

FORMING MESSAGES THAT APPEAL TO GIRLS

Messaging overview Appeal to present beliefs, goals, values Consider opposing viewpoints Consider competing goals Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

What career-related message content is important? Economic security Flexibility: industry, geographic Job projections (BLS) High salaries for 4- year degree Job satisfaction Social relevance Challenging, problem solving Work with others Time for personal life Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 Tell parents that computing careers are enjoyable and offer financial independence

What messages influence counselors? Positive forecasts for Job openings Career trajectories Pleasant work Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

What other content is important? Use local knowledge to plan events, activities Customize, demonstrate understanding, build trust An attainable goal with hard work Apply problem solving and interpersonal skills Be creative Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 Avoid implying that you have to be a genius

Messages embedded in activities, assignments, and examples E.g., Robots Just for fun? For competition? Saving lives? Housecleaning? Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

Take care what you communicate Beware of communicating or reinforcing stereotypes Avoid comparisons with other groups e.g., girls v. boys Do not perpetuate stereotypes by repeating them Refrain from implying only geniuses succeed in CS Do most 15 year-old girls want to grow up to be Dilbert???

Test messages and images Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

LOCATING GIRLS AND CONVEYING YOUR MESSAGE

Go where the capable kids are Recruit friendship groups so kids won’t be isolated Personally extend invitations Ask other teachers who’s good in their classes “Use your love of math…” Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

Mathematically-inclined girls are everywhere Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

What to Do If Talented Students Object Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 Computer science is Boring Hard Machine-focused There are no jobs

Overcome objections and biases Use student’s name Assure student s/he can succeed (if you believe that) Listen, acknowledge student’s expressed beliefs – “I understand why you think that CS is …” Offer persuasive evidence – “… but can I show you the actual numbers?” or “but can I tell you about my former students?” Don’t let refusal be permanent – “Can we talk again before you choose your courses for next year?” Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

Leverage your assets Alumni Parents of former students After-School Programs Recruiting Materials from National Sources (e.g., NCWIT, CSTA) ??? Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

ADDRESSING MYTHS, MISCONCEPTIONS, AND UNDERREPRESENTATION Should You or Shouldn’t You?

“Mythbusting”: Geeks, cubicles, and guys May actually create awareness May create familiarity if they forget the details Once implanted, idea may be difficult to dislodge Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011 See “How Warnings about False Claims Become Recommendations” “I’ve heard that before so it must be true”

What about offshoring? Parents, counselors may believe popular claims Alternatives: Address head on Describe BLS predictions Address objections only if they arise Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

What about underrepresentation? If you tell them, you may scare them away If you don’t tell them, it is like denying reality Liken computing to other fields where women have historically been underrepresented, like medicine, law, or space science/astronauts Show some very interesting and valued contributions of women computer scientists Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011

TRACK YOUR OUTCOMES SHARE RESULTS, METHODS Research on Attracting Girls to Computing  TAG Organizer Meeting  Philadelphia, PA  February 12, 2011