[Edu-sig] Where are the girl programmers?

[Jeff Sandys]

I have been trying to get and keep a broad range of 
middle school students in the after school programming 
club that I supervise.  Some girls show up to the first 
sesson but by the second session only the "geek boys" 
return.  Some of the suggestions from some female 
programmers that I work with are:

* Girls want a woman instructor. (I wish)
* Girls want to solve problems not program. (give problems)
* Girls think in terms of objects not functions.
    (focus on object oriented programming)
* Girls like to socialize. (use pairs programming)

I want to avoid stereotypes, but some differences may 
be genetic or an archtype that won't change in the 
short term.  Like sports, it needs a special effort 
to start getting more women involved in programming.

What are your thoughts on getting and keeping more 
middle school girls involved in programming?
(responses from women are especially appreciated!)

Thanks,
Jeff Sandys

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