We narrowed down our research by selecting girls with high
and average CAT scores and questioning them regarding their interest in computer
science.
We planned a questionnaire to assess their current
thinking and experiences. Next we discussed teacher observations and students’
outputs.
Through our investigation into papers written on this topic and our
contact with CAS – Computing at School we made contact with Dr Pau who has been
working on girls' views and attitudes to computing.
In light of this and the ways in which attitudes could
change, we held an intervention which gave the girls exposure to different forms
of technology (i.e. Lego Mindstorm). As well as this, Dr Pau agreed to visit our
school and the girls.
The girls responded positively to this and we felt that this style
of learning would be a benefit to the girls moving forward.
We have had several conversations with the girls regarding
attitudes to computing and engineering, generally boy-heavy areas of study, and
overwhelmingly views are changing as our intake for next year’s GCSE shows.
Following this the girls were invited to a free event, planned for International
Women's Day at the University of Southampton. It took place on the
7th March from 10am – 4pm, and was
a day of interactive events for female
students. The event included sessions that gave:
• A chance to
explore Lego Mindstorms
• A glimpse into
Nanotechnology
• An activity based
on Optoelectronics with light waves.
Three key professors introduced the event: Professor Dame
Wendy Hall (Dean of Faculty), Professor Neil White (Head of ECS) and Professor
Michael Butler (Head of Athena Swan in ECS).
We could now have a deal for some Lego Mindstorms for the
school, future inspirational speakers and workshops for the girls through robogals.org
