In order to ameliorate the gender imbalance in STEM fields, several national initiatives have been influential in increasing women’s interest and involvement in computer science. Perhaps the most effective has been Women Who Code (https://www.womenwhocode.com/), whose mission is “to inspire women to excel in technology careers.” Additionally, Hadi Partovi, the founder of Code.org, has been very active in promoting computer science for all students, regardless of age, gender, cultural background or socioeconomic class. His efforts have led to the development of the hugely successful Hour of Code and the new initiative Code Studio. These measures have taken shape on college campuses as well with programs like women@scs at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science.

 

At Colorado Academy, we are fortunate to have women in key faculty positions to help promote, support and mentor young women in STEM. Kimberly Jans has been our primary computer science teacher (including all AP classes) for the past 15 years. A longtime proponent of bringing computational skills to all students, Mrs. Jans was recently recognized with a huge national honor, winning the 2016 Colorado Educator award at the annual 2016 NCWIT (National Center for Women & Information Technology) Awards at the University of Colorado, April 24.  As part of the award she received $250 plus $750 to use toward professional development.

 

Math teacher Charity Smith also has background in coding and has taught a popular elective in the Python programming language for the past two years. Holley McBroom, CA’s honors and AP physics teacher, has inspired many young women to consider careers in math, physics, computer science, engineering and technology throughout her career at multiple schools. Ms. McBroom recently received recognition with the Connie Adcock Award for Inspirational Teaching, indicating how much she has influenced all students during her four years at CA. She also presented a topical workshop called “Am I Seriously the Only Girl Here?” at PlatFORUM in March with senior Maryam Husain. And Katy Hills, Upper School visual arts teacher, has been actively involved in adding the “A” for Arts to our STEAM initiatives, including her amazing work with Chris Roads this year on the Tiny House design and construction. For years, Ms. Hills has encouraged students to try industrial arts like welding as part of their repertoire; now her own skills in design and fabrication are playing out in the art studio and the innovation lab. More than half the students enrolled in the Tiny House elective are girls.

At the Colorado Aspirations in Computing (AIC) awards recently, one senior, Christina Bear, received a National AIC Award (1 of 32 given nationwide). Three other seniors received Colorado Aspirations in Computing (AIC) awards: Christina Bear, Julia Kelly and Maryam Husain, and three more students received Colorado Runner–Up AIC Awards: Kate Ryan, Michelle Solis and Grace Dorgan.

 

Last year Julia Kelly wrote an informative and entertaining essay for the Junior Writing Seminar in which she explored the topic of women in computer science. Relating her own experience, she noted: “Even though computer science was difficult, frustrating, impossible, and I sometimes dreaded going to class, I loved it. I still can’t explain why. I think I just wanted to stick it to the patriarchy. I wanted to show the world that a girl like me could do anything a guy in my class could do.”

 

Our goal is to make sure all students consider themselves candidates for the amazing programs in STEM that we offer.