Plymouth Girls Gain Interest in Coding Program

Plymouth Girls Gain Interest in Coding Program

WSBT Logo

PLYMOUTH — Girls in Plymouth are getting encouragement to learn computer coding.

A pep talk came from the state school superintendent during "Computer Science Education Week."

A group of students at Riverside Intermediate School have been busy building games and an anti-bullying app after school.

During the Hour of Code Monday, the members of "Girls Who Code" club had the chance to show off their skills to Superintendent Jennifer McCormick.

Some of the girls have been in the club since it was started four years ago, but most are fresh faces to field.

Thirteen girls are in the club this year. That's the highest number since local software developer Terry Burkins started the program.

"More and more of the girls are really excited and think their future right now is in computer science. When we first started it was maybe a quarter to half of the girls thought they wanted to do that and the rest were kinda there to see what it was about. Most these girls are really wanting to have a future in computer science," said Burkins.

Twenty percent of the computer science workplace is female.

Burkins credits these programs with the increase in interest. Whether or not the girls find coding to be their current passion is one thing, but McCormick wants it to go further.

“But the continuation is extremely important. So we know that where people are going to need help is, how do you put this into course works? How do you put it into curriculum? How do you make it so it's in the school day in addition to after school hours?", said McCormick.

Making friends and being seen as equal to boys in the field are two factors for the girls. Having the support of the school and state school superintendent has made an impact on seventh grader Starla Maza.

"It means there are people who believe in me and think it'd be a good idea to continue doing Girls Who Code," said Maza.

One of the original members is now attending Ball State for computer studies.

Access WSBT’s full story and video interview by going to this link: http://wsbt.com/news/local/plymouth-girls-gain-interest-in-coding-program