The number of women in technology has been a topic of discussion and concern for many years. Despite significant progress in recent years, there is still a notable gender gap in the technology industry.
According to a report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology, women held only 25% of professional computing occupations in the US in 2019. The tech industry is growing rapidly, and there is a high demand for skilled workers in this field. Encouraging girls to learn to code from a young age can help to ensure that they have access to well-paying jobs in the future.
Here are 10 tips to get girls involved in technology, along with some sample websites that can help:
- Start with coding basics: Introduce your daughter to coding concepts through fun and interactive websites like Code.org https://code.org or Scratch https://scratch.mit.edu, which offer free coding lessons and activities for kids.
- Encourage creativity with digital art: Websites like Pixilart https://www.pixilart.com and Art for Kids Hub https://www.artforkidshub.com can help your daughter explore her artistic side using digital tools, such as pixel art and drawing tutorials.
- Foster an interest in robotics: Websites like FIRST LEGO League https://www.firstlegoleague.org and VEX Robotics https://www.vexrobotics.com offer educational resources and challenges that combine engineering, coding, and problem-solving skills through robotics.
- Explore science with virtual experiments: Websites like Mystery Science https://mysteryscience.com and National Geographic Kids https://kids.nationalgeographic.com provide interactive and educational content for kids to learn about science, geography, and the natural world.
- Learn about astronomy and space exploration: Websites like NASA Kids Club https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html and Space.com https://www.space.com offer resources and games to spark your daughter's interest in space and astronomy.
- Build digital literacy: Websites like Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org and Digital Passport https://www.digitalpassport.org provide resources for kids to learn about online safety, digital citizenship, and responsible technology use.
- Engage in STEM activities: Websites like STEMfinity https://www.stemfinity.com and STEMscopes https://www.stemscopes.com offer hands-on STEM activities and resources to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Learn about cybersecurity: Websites like CyberPatriot https://www.uscyberpatriot.org and Stay Safe Online Kids https://staysafeonline.org/kids provide resources and games to help kids understand the importance of cybersecurity and how to protect themselves online.
- Discover coding through games: Websites like Codecademy https://www.codecademy.com and Kodable https://www.kodable.com offer gamified coding lessons that can make learning to code more enjoyable for kids.
- Participate in technology competitions: Websites like Technovation https://technovationchallenge.org and Girls Who Code https://girlswhocode.com provide opportunities for girls to participate in technology competitions, hackathons, and coding clubs.
Remember, it's important to foster your daughter's interest in technology by allowing her to explore and learn at her own pace. Encouraging her curiosity and providing access to safe and educational websites can help her develop valuable skills and a lifelong love for technology.