In my paper "The Gender Gap in Tech through the 21st Century," I explore the complex world of computer science education. My goal was to come up with a fresh strategy that can bring about the changes that existing initiatives haven't managed to achieve. Stereotypes have long created barriers to entering this field, and I aimed to break down these stigmas and misconceptions about computer science, showcasing its vast creativity and versatility. To this end, I created Computers++, a social media campaign platform that aims to connect female students with the wide range of opportunities in the field.

Even though many initiatives and much funding have been directed at this issue since 2011, growth in female participation is still low. The ongoing challenge is to overcome the enduring stigmas surrounding the field, which discourage students from considering it as a viable career option. This problem goes beyond workplace diversity in computer science and technical fields; it also hinders progress in crucial areas like healthcare and artificial intelligence research and development, with significant impacts on the female population.

Computers++ is a social media campaign that highlights the achievements of female computer scientists through short videos. It was created with the enthusiastic participation of women in the field eager for recognition and a change in workplace dynamics. The campaign spotlights their inspiring projects and positions them as role models. By showcasing these endeavors, I aimed to change the way thousands of high school girls perceive computer science. The initiative encourages them to explore the field and the many opportunities available through schools, after-school clubs, organizations, and government programs.

Project site: parsonsbba.com/sp24-studentprojects-1/computers%2B%2B