The document discusses the challenges and opportunities in promoting computer science (CS) education in K-12 schools, highlighting the low percentage of schools offering CS courses. It addresses the barriers for women's participation in computing and emphasizes the importance of mentorship, engagement, and supportive teaching methods in fostering interest in CS. The author encourages involvement through volunteering, advocacy, and supporting CS programs to inspire the next generation of computer scientists.

1. The Little Girl Geek
Wants to Play
Jennifer Argüello
{SheCodes} Conference
August 9, 2013

2. Your First Geek Moment

3. A Computer Scientist is Born

4. 20%
2%
4%
74%
US Public Schools
High Schools that don't offer CS
HS that offer AP CS
HS that offer CS
Middle Schools and Elementary Schools
~10 million
HS Students
State of US CS K12 Ed
California K12 Enrollment vs. AP CS
Exam Takers

5. Women in Computing

6. Deterrents from computing
 Irrelevant curriculum
 Lecture based instruction instead of project-based
 Teaching styles that discourage collaboration
 Failure proof environments
 Absence of role models and mentors
 Limited visibility or inaccurate perceptions of
computing careers

7. Are we doomed?

8. The Future is NOW

9. CS in the classroom

10. CS 101

11. Benefits
 Just showing you exist goes a long way
 Engaging and teaching youth grows your facilitation
skills and increases subject area mastery
 You become a better learner and problem solver
 They inspire you more than you think you inspire them
 YOU ARE CREATING THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE!

12. How to get involved?
 Volunteer for programs
 Ask your company for financial and in-kind support of CS
schools and programs
 Be a mentor
 Advocate for CS Certification and adoption of CS
curriculum standards

14. More Resources
 http://www.ncwit.org/sites/default/files/resources/bt
n_02272013web.pdf
 http://www.exploringcs.org/resources/cs-statistics
 http://www.code.org/stats
 http://changetheequation.org/stemtistics-facts-figures
 NCWIT K-12 Alliance Members

15. Let the Little Girl
(or Boy) Geek
Play

16. Thank you!
www.jenniferarguello.com
jarguello@gmail.com
@engijen