Traditional High School STEM Curriculum Ineffective in Promoting Female Interest in Computer Science
Abstract: Females remain underrepresented in the field of Computer Science (CS) (Hill, Corbett, & St. Rose, 2010; Spertus, 1991). Gender differences in STEM fields have decreased. However, CS still shows diminished increase in female representation (Spertus, 1991). In a Northeastern United States, STEM focused high school, CS Freshman students were surveyed relative to barriers to female participation in the field of CS: experience, confidence, interest, and perception. Data gathering utilized a survey and semantic differentials. Analysis of data occurred through the SPSS™ tools utilizing the nonparametric, Kruskal-Wallis algorithm to mitigate unequal cell sizes. Students in higher level CS courses were also surveyed. Significant differences were found among gender at p < 0.05 (n = 77). Data suggest traditional STEM environments, even in a highly-ranked STEM high school, are ineffective at producing female interest in CS. Conclusions are drawn as to how this may be improved.