Tech Break: The Impact of Perceptions on Gender Disparity in Computer Science
Faculty Sponsor
Kent Jones kjones@whitworth.edu
Session Type
Traditional Paper Presentation
Research Project Abstract
Perceptions are key. Parents tell their children throughout their lives that it doesn’t matter what other people think. This may be true when it comes to children deciding whether to wear the cute perky school girl outfit versus the mismatched animal patterned shorts or floral patterned pants, shirt, and tall socks (as I was more apt to choose). However, when it comes to children, tweens, and teens perceptions of potential careers, perception actually matters quite a lot. Studies have shown that by 15 most girls have gravitated away from STEM. How do perceptions feed this break? How do difference in male and female perceptions of Computer Science, their own abilities, and societal expectations lead to this shift of girls away from Computer Science? This paper will attempt to answer this question of perceptions by focusing on the idea of “Imposter Syndrome” in middle school students.
Session Number
RS3
Location
Weyerhaeuser 205
Abstract Number
RS3-c
Tech Break: The Impact of Perceptions on Gender Disparity in Computer Science
Weyerhaeuser 205
Perceptions are key. Parents tell their children throughout their lives that it doesn’t matter what other people think. This may be true when it comes to children deciding whether to wear the cute perky school girl outfit versus the mismatched animal patterned shorts or floral patterned pants, shirt, and tall socks (as I was more apt to choose). However, when it comes to children, tweens, and teens perceptions of potential careers, perception actually matters quite a lot. Studies have shown that by 15 most girls have gravitated away from STEM. How do perceptions feed this break? How do difference in male and female perceptions of Computer Science, their own abilities, and societal expectations lead to this shift of girls away from Computer Science? This paper will attempt to answer this question of perceptions by focusing on the idea of “Imposter Syndrome” in middle school students.
