How Girls Who Code teaches girls to fearlessly pursue Computer Science
Written by: Girls Who Code Education Director, Chrissy Ziccarelli
One of the most common questions I’m asked as part of my job is “What do girls learn when they do Girls Who Code?”
This is a question with a lot of answers — because they learn a lot of things! Everything from computational thinking skills, design thinking protocols, to public speaking. But, if I have to boil it down to one lesson, one takeaway, I always say the same thing. Our programs teach girls to see themselves as computer scientists.
We think building our participants’ identities as computer scientists is as important — if not more important — than teaching what some people might call “real” coding. Why?
In short, it combats stereotype threat. If you are reminded of a negative stereotype about a group you’re in (for example, girls are bad at computer science) you are more likely to perform to that stereotype. It can happen whether someone says something explicitly to you or if it’s something more subtle, like being the only girl in your class.
The most tried and true way to combat this effect is to form a positive identity that replaces the stereotyped one. We teach our girls that they are problem solvers, curious explorers, and risk takers. If that is how you walk into every computer science classroom, stereotype threat won’t have the power to push you out of the industry you love.
Our programs teach girls to see themselves as computer scientists. — Chrissy Ziccarelli, Girls Who Code Education Director
That’s why we have our Clubs talk about qualities and values like bravery, curiosity, and resilience — and how they play into the types of projects they’re building and lessons they’re learning through code.
Everyone who walks into a Girls Who Code program brings a wealth of experiences, interests, passions. Whether they are an artist, an athlete, a gamer, a bookworm, or any of the above. Rather than replacing those interests with technology, we show them how they can use computer science to explore the things they care about in new ways.
If you see something as part of who you are, you are going to stick with it through the tough times. It instills curiosity that can last for a lifetime — and our sisterhood will be with you just as long.
This story was written by Chrissy Ziccarelli, Girls Who Code Education Director. You can find her on Twitter at @chrissyzic.
