Google Innovator Program
The Problem and context - The uptake of GCSE Computing in girls
Taken from my Google Certified Innovator Application:
My challenge is the lack of girls choosing to study Computer Science at GCSE level (age 14+). In the UK only 20% of the Computer Science GCSE entries for 2018 were girls. Looking above this, only 15% of Computer Science Undergraduates are female. These are shocking statistics. It’s a massive problem; something that is known and many organisations are trying to address. Figures have not shown a huge leap in recent years so it hasn’t worked yet. Most efforts have been to get girls into coding and Computing in general, they enjoy these clubs and sessions but still aren’t studying it. I’m finding this in my own school with girls telling me they love Computing then don’t choose it for GCSE! Frustrating! I am looking into ways of getting more girls into formal qualifications if possible, I’m just not sure how yet. How might we encourage girls into Computing GCSEs?
Case Study:
Ellie is a Year 10 student who is a talented coder but did not choose to study Computer Science at GCSE Level.
From Ellie, I learned that she feels that the GCSE isn’t as engaging as the clubs she has taken part in which led to her interest in coding that she admits she enjoys and is good at. Ellie says that she has been part of the school’s Vex robotics team and is now part of the First Lego League team and helped to code the team’s robot that got to the UK and Ireland final coming 7th in the UK out of over 800 teams entered. But she still didn’t take the subject at GCSE level. She also said that other options were more important to her. Ellie didn’t ask what was in the Computer Science GCSE or what it was like compared to the clubs so why does she think it wouldn’t be engaging? Does it have a bad reputation in KS3 at option time?
There isn’t one specific solution to this problem that I know of. There are many initiatives that exist but the problem still exists and has been evidenced in many studies. Initiatives that exist are: Technovation, Girls Who Code, Code First: Girls, WISE, Women Techmakers and various university programs/bursaries.
So again: How might we encourage more girls into Computer Science and specifically studying it at GCSE level?