1) The document discusses challenges faced by women in computer science, both historically and currently. It notes that while the percentage of females in CS majors was increasing in the early days of computing, the rate has since decreased. 2) Some challenges discussed include outdated stereotypes that associate CS with masculinity, a lack of female peers and mentors, and weak secondary education in technology and computer science that discourages girls from pursuing the field. 3) Suggested solutions focus on increasing exposure of girls and young women to computing through outreach programs, mentoring, and making computer science education more interdisciplinary and applicable to a wide range of interests.

1. Women in CS: Past, Present and Future Challenges A panel discussion with Rhode Island College Female Computer Scientists Sara Czyzewicz, Ann Moskol, Suzanne Ronayne and Namita Sarawagi

2. Women in CS: Books over the years 1995 2002 1998 2008

3. Women in Computing - Articles CACM: Jan 1995 Feb. 2009 Women in Computing take 2

4. Women in Computing - Articles ACM SIGCSE Bulletin Volume 34 , Issue 2 (June 2002) Women and Computing Cited by 71

5. Our Challenge: How to Increase Enrollment in CS CS Bachelors Degrees: 1966-2006 Source: NSF (Data not available for 1999)

6. Panel Overview Panelists Ann Moskol – Professor (CS, Math, Math Ed) Namita Sarawagi – Asst. Prof (“non-traditional”) Suzanne Ronayne – current CS Major (“non-traditional”) Sara Czyzewicz - alumna: BA in CS in 2005 – founder of DandyID.org Personal Challenges Past, Present and Future Conclusions Inspiring Women in CS from our own experiences Questions From the Audience

8. Rhode Island College: The widening gap between female and male CS majors

9. Percent of Females in CS is decreasing while other fields are increasing

10. “ What Has Driven Women Out of Computer Science?” by RANDALL STROSS Published: November 15, 2008

11. http://www.cra.org/info/education/us/women.html

12. Many females embraced CS in the “Early” Days of Computers "U.S. Army Photo", number 163-12-62.

13. Two women wiring the right side of the ENIAC with a new program, in the "pre-von Neumann" days. " U.S. Army Photo" from the archives of the ARL Technical Library

14. Summer Programs for Females in CS Study and Support Groups Redesign Introductory Courses Interdisciplinary Programs CS Education with K-12 Teachers & Students Suggestions for Increasing Women in CS

16. Suzanne Ronayne: Challenges and Successes Challenges Breaking into a new field with no experience The “secretarial trap” Competing with men for entry-level jobs

17. Suzanne Ronayne: Challenges and Successes Successes Good grounding in logical thinking from Jr. High (geometric proofs) Independence, spirit of adventure Some knowledge of programming gained from earlier college career

19. Summary: Retaining CS Students Challenges Weak math background Low attention span Low enrollment in major Solutions Re-Design Introduction to CS Pre-programming courses Tech-savvy new generation applications Double majors Interdisciplinary courses

20. Summary: Enrollment in CS Challenges: Decreased curiosity of this no more “new” field Lack of Technology and CS courses in secondary education Lack of awareness of CS as a career for girls at high-school level Myths and misconceptions (CS male only domain) Solutions: Increased focus on STEM in secondary schools Enroll girls in summer computer programs Faculty of university CS departments work with local middle/high schools

21. Good News – Bad News CRA Taulbee Report Total enrollment per department by majors and pre-majors in U.S. computer science programs is up 6.2 percent over last year. This is the first increase in total enrollment in computer science programs in six years. The fraction of Bachelor’s degrees awarded to women held steady at 11.8 percent this year.

23. Outdated Stereotypes

24. Science / Technology Toys

25. Teenager, Encouraging Mentors

26. Lack of Female Peers

27. Research for Undergraduates

28. Women in Tech

29. Points to Remember Mentor/teach/encourage young girls Youth workshops (K-12) Communicate the “cool” of computing Introduce Research Early On “ New Media” Courses and Workshops Interdisciplinary Studies Spread the word! Women In Tech Reach-out

30. Thank you! For slides and conclusions from this panel please visit: www.saraolive.com/women.html See you at our Round-table! QUESTIONS?

31. Questions Why is the issue of “women in CS” important? What are the challenges? How do we overcome these challenges?