Designing CS Experiences to Encourage Participation for Girls From Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds

• In Event: 45.093 - MTCC Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: 45.093-11 - The Persistence of Women and Girls in Educational Settings

Abstract

This paper presents research on how purposeful design of CS experiences can address barriers of participation and marginalization in CS for girls from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds. We conducted in depth interviews prior to and after a summer CS program. We identified four barriers that prevented the young women in our study from pursuing CS. We then looked for changes in their perceptions based on their experiences. This study offers insight on how we can address barriers when trying to broaden participation in CS.

Authors

• Katarina Pantic, Utah State University

• Jody E. Clarke-Midura, Utah State University