Diversity in computing: strengthening the pipeline for female & underrepresented students to excel in computing

The lack of diversity in computing is visible in the low numbers of females and minority students receiving degrees in Computer Science. Through programs offered at the University of Maryland, we conduct research to identify areas of interventions to improve underrepresented students confidence, exposure and access to K-12 education in computing. The experimental vehicles used to conduct this research include and are not limited to: one-day workshop styled events; day and residential summer camps; after-school programs; and competition platforms and programs. An initial analysis of surveys collected at our programs show several trends in the lack of encouragement and exposure to STEM that middle school students receive and offers strategies for strengthening the pipeline to computing by closing these gaps. Our poster will show our initial findings and outline additional research questions and methods that emerged from these findings as our sample size expanded. The evaluative methods used in the project mix quantitative and qualitative measures. Quantitative measures include surveys of participants and program staff, as well as program records (e.g., recruitment data, retention in the program). Qualitative measures include discussions with students, interviews with program staff, parents, and business and industry partners, and observations of program events.