The field of computational textiles has shown promise as a domain for diversifying computer science culture by drawing population with broad and non-traditional interests backgrounds into creating technology. In this paper, we present curriculum that teaches programming through series activities involve building textiles. We also describe two new technological tools, Modkit the LilyPad ProtoSnap board, support implementation curriculum. 2011-12, conducted three workshops to evaluate impact...

While demand for computer science and information technology skills grows, the proportion of women entering (CS) fields has declined. One critical juncture is transition from high school to college. In our study, we examined factors predicting college persistence in science- technology-related majors data collected female students. We fielded a survey that asked about students’ interest confidence computing as well their intentions learn programming, game design, or invent new technology....

column Share on Efforts to Make Computer Science More Inclusive of Women Authors: Wendy M. DuBow National Center for & Information Technology TechnologyView Profile , Beth A. Quinn Gloria Childress Townsend ACM-W ACM-WView Rosario Robinson Anita Borg Institute InstituteView Valerie Barr Authors Info Claims ACM InroadsVolume 7Issue 4December 2016 pp 74–80https://doi.org/10.1145/2998500Published:21 November 2016Publication History 24citation2,177DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations24Total...

Previous research has suggested that access and exposure to computing, social supports, preparatory privilege, a sense of belonging in computing identity all contribute women pursuing as field study or intended career. What we know less about is what keeps young persisting despite the obstacles they encounter. This article describes findings from analysis 64 in-depth interviews with who high school expressed interest by looking into National Center for Women IT's Aspirations Computing Award....

This article explores the question of what mechanisms a backbone organization uses in collective impact initiative to help diverse participants make organizational and social change. Qualitative data gathered from interviews with observations participant organizations illustrate ways that facilitated movement toward common goal, making In this initiative, were responsible for their own changes, which turn, change larger inequitable ecosystem. Data revealed five key used facilitate...

Computing-related jobs are interesting, well-paying, secure, and abundant, so why aren't more women working in this creative field that produces the technology is central to our daily lives? The Web extra at http://youtu.be/TgNJJzSiBiY a video interview which Wendy DuBow, research scientist National Center for Women & Information Technology, discusses importance of gender diversity computing with Alfred C. (Alf) Weaver, director University Virginia's Applied Research Institute.

In a complex, multisite initiative, well-developed theory of change can help an organization’s leadership make strategic decisions about program elements, organizational direction and priorities, as well provide structure accountability for evaluation. This article describes the multistep process used by evaluation team large nonprofit to iteratively develop complex national including challenges encountered during creation initial implementation phase. We describe benefits derived from...

This article reports preliminary findings from a multiyear study of young women who showed interest in applying for an award that recognizes high school females' computing-related interests and achievements, the National Center Women & Information Technology's Aspirations Computing Award. The research sample includes two groups: awardees non-awardees. mixed-methods consists social cognitive career theory survey instrument, as well interviews focus groups exploring themes confidence,...

The National Center for Women & Information Technology is helping institutions and businesses increase the number of women in computing majors tech workforce.

Previous research has suggested that access and exposure to computing, social supports, preparatory privilege, a sense of belonging in computing and/or identity all contribute women pursuing as field study or intended career. What we know less about is what keeps young persisting despite the obstacles they encounter. This paper describes findings from analysis 64 in-depth interviews with who high school expressed interest by looking into NCWIT's Aspirations Computing Award. The dataset...

A program to encourage and support girls women in pursuing their computer science interests.

Broadening participation in computing (BPC) has been a key focus of the National Science Foundation (NSF) for over two decades. Its aim is to support students and faculty from historically underrepresented groups, including women, people with disabilities, certain racial ethnic groups. Within these communities, diverse range gender sexual identities remains overlooked education research (CER). To address this invisibility, panel will discuss benefits integrating LGBTQIA+ perspectives. The...

Understanding how to increase participation and continued persistence of women in computing is a perennial problem. This paper explores the ways which can be defined either by narrow disciplinary practice framework or more expansive social framework. How consequential regarding our understanding women's computing. The data for this come from 64 in-depth, qualitative interviews with young who high school expressed interest looking into NCWIT's Aspirations Computing Award. Analyses show that...

The CISE directorate of the NSF is rolling out a requirement that all grants include Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) plan (www.nsf.gov/cise/bpc/). This has potential to drive important institutional change across CS departments U.S. panel BPC experts will offer their perspectives on meaningful activities, talk about existing programs, and share BPC-related resources can help PIs craft high-quality plans. panelists contrasting topics such as K-12 outreach, allocation department...

Purpose This paper aims to investigate what factors influence women’s meaningful and equitable persistence in computing technology fields. It draws on theories of learning equity from the sciences inform understanding underrepresentation as it investigates young women who showed an interest high school followed-up with them their college careers. Design/methodology/approach The mixed-methods approach compares data quantitative surveys qualitative focus groups interviews. sample comes...

This paper describes the creation of a virtual, interactive professional development course to build capacity community college faculty recruit and retain women underrepresented minorities in computing programs. The project was designed response reporting need for practical methods broaden participation their programs feelings isolation from like-minded faculty. 12-session prototype has been piloted with eight finalized PD will be available as free, standalone web-based modules. includes...

Effective teaching requires understanding where students are coming from. Retaining who have been historically underrepresented in computing the same, especially introductory courses. This paper draws from surveys of courses at seven geographically dispersed community colleges. We use K-means cluster analysis to differentiate based on their responses questions measuring constructs related student success and persistence. The resulting five clusters were compared outcome variables, including...

While many computing departments may be aware there are "promising" and "proven" practices for recruiting retaining female students, seems to a drive try new novel approaches rather than use what is known, or strongly suspected, effective. Developing diverse student body long-term multi-faceted process that includes active recruitment, inclusive pedagogy, meaningful curriculum necessitates student, faculty institutional support, as well assessment of progress [1,2,3]. Given all the moving...

Computing has seen dramatic decreases in the major across past decade, especially among under-represented populations. Recently, however, some institutions have begun to see an increase. What are these departments doing reverse this historical trend? Learn about practices undertaken by U.S. universities that increased undergraduate enrollments overall, with particular increases female enrollment and retention. Computer science faculty from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Virginia Tech Florida A&M...

While computer science (CS) jobs are growing rapidly, universities not producing enough CS graduates to fill a projected shortage of almost million workers by 2020 [1]. To add this problem, there is striking lack diversity in the programs nationwide [2]. Of degrees awarded, overwhelming number - 80% were awarded males, while only 5% went African-Americans, 18% Asians, and 9% Hispanics [3, 2]. Bringing community colleges (CCs) into fold will enable us confront workforce More importantly, it...

Recently, many computing departments in universities and colleges around the nation have seen increases enrollments major. While these are largely welcome, it is important that student population be diversified even as swell. What doing to ensure women both recruited retained this changing environment? This panel will share interventions undertaken by three U.S. post-secondary institutions focused on increasing their female underrepresented enrollment. Their efforts all include multi-pronged...