Google STEAM-ing into Code

It is no hyperbole to state the there has always been a gender gap in the tech world. With fewer than 1 percent of females graduation high school with an interest in majoring in computer science, participation by girls has consistently ranked lower than that of boys in the STEM fields, and women only make up 25% of the tech workforce.

In an effort to boost girls’ participation in computer science and technology, Google launched an initiative last month called Made with Code, in collaboration with Chelsea Clinton, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts of the USA, Mindy Kaling, MIT Media Lab, National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), Seventeen and TechCrunch.

Aimed at increasing exposure to computer science via creative pursuits, the site features Blockly-enabled activities like designing a 3D bracelet and making your own beats, “video profiles of girls and women who explain how they’re using code to do what they love… [and] a resource directory for parents and girls to find more information about new local events, camps, classes and clubs.”

Read more: Made with Code, Google