300% increase of female students studying Computer Science
I recently read this article on the BCS website and thought I couldn't pass up the opportunity to write about it.
As you may have seen already, I'm a big believer in representation, diversity and equality and to read that the gender gap in computer science is decreasing is fantastic news.
"the gender gap in computer science has closed for the seventh year in succession and women now make up 15% of all entries to the subject, the professional body for IT found."
BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT.
There are many organisations helping to promote diversity and inclusivity within the technology sector. Including, but not limited to:
So, what does this have to do with Unplugged Tots I hear you ask?
Well, interests can start at an early age within children. What is stopping our children learning some basic fundamentals of computer coding at an early age if they show an interest? My daughters were doing some Engineering last weekend with my husband and they loved it. So much so that they designed a ‘boat’ the next day. It floated but couldn’t hold anything else other than the battery pack! They all had so much fun and we are happy they’re interested in creating, testing and working out new designs for things. Who knows whether they’ll decide on studying Computer science when they’re older, I’m just happy to nurture their interest and open as many doors as I can for them. The skills learnt doing unplugged coding are transferrable on so many levels.
Who knows whether they’ll decide on studying Computer science when they’re older, I’m just happy to nurture their interest and open as many doors as I can for them. The skills learnt doing unplugged coding are transferrable on so many levels but ultimately they had fun. If children link fun to learning the fundamentals of coding then we’re onto a good thing in my opinion.