Garrettsville – With the rise of technology, mobile devices, and online applications, it’s easy to believe estimates that by 2020, there will be 1.4 million jobs in computing. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that girls are on track to fill only 4% of those jobs. Today, fewer than 1 in 5 computer scientists are women, and that needs to change.
That’s exactly what prompted Garfield Elementary School teachers Melinda Ensinger and Peggy Shay to start a computer club for girls. “We’re always on the look-out for hands-on STEM related programs,” explained Shay, who learned of the Girls Who Code program while at a Science Educators’ Conference. She shared the concept with the school’s Technology instructor, Ensinger, and the pair introduced the before-school program to students at JAG Elementary School.
“According to research, girls’ participation in computer science ebbs over time,” Ensinger shared, “and the biggest drop off happens between 13 – 17 years of age.” Research has also shown that when girls engaged in coding at a young age, they’re more likely to continue through middle and high school. Similarly, they’re more likely to consider computer science and technology careers after graduation. Beginning last December and continuing through May, girls in kindergarten through sixth grade have the opportunity to learn about technology through the Girls Who Code program.
The program incorporates problem-based learning, shared real-life career opportunities, and equips young women with the tools to design solutions for real-world problems. But mostly, it’s a safe place to stretch their creative muscles while cutting their teeth on the latest technology programs and tools. And it’s a lot of fun. That’s why more than 20 young women arrive an hour early to school to participate.
A national organization, Girls Who Code provides free programs for girls and young women in an effort to close the gender gap in technology. Founder Reshma Saujani is on a mission to inspire young women to embrace computer science. The program, based on her book by the same name, shows what a huge role computer science plays in our lives and how much fun it can be. The program helps girls build basic skills and inspire them to create their own apps and games to solve real-world problems. The program offers down-to-earth explanations of coding principles, and real-life stories of girls and women working at places like Pixar and NASA.
In a previous weekly gathering, the Girls Who Code at JAG Elementary reviewed coding vocabulary. They also worked with a partner on an exercise to sharpen their step-by-step instruction skills, something crucial in the coding world. This week, the group was among the first students at JAG Elementary to use the new MakerBot 3-D printer.
Using the Tinkercad 3-D design tool, girls worked on creating starting designs ranging from 5th grader Kim’s project which simulated electrical circuitry to fifth-grader Riley’s project — a chicken dinosaur complete with scuba mask, mustache, and snorkel. Some learned how to create 2-D slices of their designs, and how to prepare the files for printing in 3-D. Others worked to code games in Scratch, a free online tool that provides a step-by-step visual guide to building computer games and apps. In addition, that day they all learned about the types of careers that utilize CAD design — fields like civil and mechanical engineers, drafters, and architects.
Each girl also received her own copy of the book, “Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World” by the organization’s founder Reshma Saujani. Covering topics that showcase the importance of coding and ‘How to Talk to Your Computer,’ the book also highlights a variety of career paths available in technology. Women with careers in digital art & design, robotics, website & mobile app development, and online security share their stories, as well. When Ensinger asked the group how many chapters they’d like to read for ‘homework’ before their next gathering, they excitedly shouted, “three!” She noted that some in the group are motivated to complete their regular lesson so they can get back on Scratch or Tinkercad in Technology class. “That’s our goal, to get them excited to learn.” The books, along with t-shirts and support materials, were provided from the organization at no cost to JAG Elementary School.
While these cutting edge tools are new to students, they’re also new to the teachers, who learn the applications, tools, and concepts right along with their students. Willingness to embrace these new technology tools and applications, seemingly on the fly, may seem a bit daunting, but Ensinger and Shay take it all in stride. Ensinger joked, “Our goal is to stay at least five minutes ahead of our students.”
While every student has access to technology class during school hours, Ensinger and Shay expressed the desire to run this special extra program before school. They were pleased to receive strong support from their administration. The community supports these efforts as well. In fact, the new MakerBot 3-D printer and several spools of resin in a variety of colors were purchased in part through a Donors Choose campaign, with a portion funded by the PTO.
As the Girls Who Code finished up their meeting and the school day was set to start, one project, a house designed by Eva, was selected for 3-D printing. As the girls gathered around the 3D printer to watch the foundation begin to take shape, it was easy to see the girls’ curiosity and excitement building, as well. When completed roughly six-and-a-half hours later, the tiny house signified not just the big dreams of one fourth-grader, but the dreams of her fellow students to become coders, drafters, and computer scientists moving forward to create a wonderful future for us all.
Since 2012, the organization Girls Who Code has taught computing skills to and inspired over 40,000 girls across America. For more information on the program, visit girlswhocode.com.
