Encouraging Women Coders
Did you know that only 20% of software developers are women? Or .4% of girls are majoring in Computer Science!? In an effort to turnaround these paltry statistics, Google launched the Made With Code project. Learn what it is and why it’s inspiring young women to shape tomorrow’s technology trends.
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30% of Employees are Women
Sadly, this number applies to one of the biggest tech employers in Silicon Valley — Google. According to a Washington Post article, Google confessed that only 30% of their workforce is women. LinkedIn and Yahoo can’t boast a better track record either… as their stats are 39% and 37% respectively. Interested in additional facts about women and the computer workforce? Check out the TechRepublic article on the State of Women in Technology and 15 Data Points.
The good news is that Google is trying to fix the problem. The first step is to encourage young women to choose careers in Computer Science.
About Made With Code
The Made with Code project is an initiative to champion creativity, girls, and code. The program is designed to:
- Inspire girls by celebrating women and girls who are using code to do great things
- Engage girls to try coding through introductory projects and resources
- Sustain interest by creating alliances and community
It’s worth mentioning that Made With Code is a collaborative effort. There are several contributors (e.g., Girl Scouts of America) and nonprofit grants (e.g., code.org) who have committed funds and resources to encourage young women to pursue careers in technology.
The White House Christmas Tree
So what does the White House’s 2014 Christmas tree have to do with Made With Code? The programmed lights of the annual lighting ceremony… you guessed it… were done by girls. 2014 was the first year young coders all across the country controlled the blinking lights. How cool is that.
Projects for Young Minds
The Made With Code website has many resources for future coders, their parents and teachers looking to spark creativity and interest in math and technology. Ever wondered how to create a meme or animate a gif? Those are just a few of the beginner and intermediate projects available. Plus, they are adding new ones. Additionally, there’s a growing community and local events supporting the effort.
Do you have a young woman in your life? Are you encouraging her towards tech?
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photo credit – top: Stuti Sakhalkar
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