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I鈥檝e been thinking a lot lately about role models after reading a听听on the role of encouragement in computer science (CS) education. According to the findings, girls are less likely than boys to see someone like themselves doing computer science, and interest in CS among girls also starts to wane as early as age 14. The brief recommends early exposure to role models for girls, especially before age 14.

Luckily, that鈥檚 happening in Nashua, where the after-school program CodeIT Girls shows elementary school-aged girls some amazing role models in computer science. I鈥檓 already seeing the effects of having role models in action.

Meera Kurup, leader of CodeIT Girls, is a junior at Bishop Guertin High School who started the program to spark young girls鈥� interest in technology and computing. She noticed that as girls grow older, they lose interest, finding听these fields difficult and not 鈥渃ool.鈥� She wanted to change that stereotype early on by introducing coding to girls in elementary school and showing them how fun and exciting it can be.

Kurup, winner of听 at both the local and national levels, applied to run her own program through NCWIT鈥橲听听K-12 Outreach Program, with the 91制片厂's acting as program partner. AspireIT connects high school and college women with K-12 girls interested in computing using a near-peer model to teach younger girls fundamentals in programming and computational thinking in fun, creative environments. Kurup is joined by two 91制片厂 Manchester CS students, Maggie O鈥橞rien and Aashirya Kaushik. The trio make听an impressive group of role models for the elementary girls.

But I can鈥檛 help but notice that the girls 鈥� with their enthusiasm, creativity and openness 鈥� are also serving as role models for each other and all of us. Each week, they share their stories and help each other through challenges. It鈥檚 collaboration at its finest, and we are all learning right along with them.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 expecting the girls to learn so quickly and to be so independent,鈥� said O鈥橞rien. 鈥淪ometimes, they think of a concept that they want to do, but need extra help finding the right code to use to make their idea happen. I am very impressed with the girls and how much excitement they have听every听week.鈥�

Kurup and Kaushik agree, crediting the girls鈥� excitement and curiosity for making CodeIT Girls such a fulfilling experience.

鈥淎 few girls were so into the classes that they started asking me whether they can log in from home and work on their projects. The enthusiasm of the girls validated that this kind of program is much needed in many schools in our country,鈥� Kurup said. 鈥淭he trend in the tech industry is slowly changing as more women are being introduced to the field and more girls are learning about how interesting and worthwhile the field is.鈥�

I have a feeling after working with all of these young role models that the next brief Google and Gallup release may tell a different story.

Lab Notes is a regular column by the 91制片厂 STEM Discovery Lab. Have an idea for a topic? Communicate with us on听听and听.