Celebrating Young Women in Computing
Recently, I reviewed four applications for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Technology. The NCWIT Award acknowledges the computing achievements and aspirations of young women and generates visibility for women’s participation in computing-related pursuits. High school girls all over the country apply for this award, and I served as one of many reviewers for the Bay Area affiliate.
Although the the award is meant to inspire young women to achieve in computing, I found the young women inspiring me. The applications I reviewed tell stories of girls building robots and designing videogames. They lead their fellow students in workshops and mentor younger students. They take AP computer science courses during the school year and programming classes in the summer. Although you would expect that any high school student applying for this type of award is going to be an achiever, it was heartening to read about the dedication they have to computer science, mathematics, and robotics—not only in the learning, but in passing that dedication on to others. The applicants’ enthusiasm shone through to me, and I’m sure it does to their communities as well.
These young women, who I got to know a little through their application essays, had an impact on me. I hope that all of them continue to be interested in and enthusiastic about computing. Although I worry about the state of our field, with far too small a fraction of computer science and engineering degrees going to women, it’s hard not to be optimistic about our future after the NCWIT
awards. The next generation of women in our field is going to be amazing.
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