Belonging in computer science: join the National Centre for Computing Education’s mission
The National Centre for Computing Education’s I Belong: encouraging girls into computer science programme, which launched in September, is in full swing and already we have seen fantastic initiatives and opportunities offered across the country.
The aim of I Belong is to encourage all learners to feel a sense of belonging in a subject and career pathway they may not have considered before. It is a fantastic programme offering support, resources, strategies, and initiatives to encourage more girls into computer science.
So why do we need to be considering this? When we look at the headline figures, in 2023, boys accounted for 79% of computing entries at GCSE. This evident divide illustrates why we need to be exploring and investing in this area and asking ourselves why boys select it as an option and girls do not.
I Belong includes the Encouraging girls into GCSE computer science short course that explores research, strategies and initiatives which can be used in your curriculum and enrichment activities. A recent participant shared this feedback, “The impact of integrating strategies from the "Encouraging girls" course into my teaching has been remarkable. I've observed a noticeable increase in girls' participation levels in coding activities and collaborative projects.”
The programme not only helps to bridge and support development in your school to challenge the gender gap but also helps recognise work that is already taking place. Laura, who recently completed the I Belong programme, explained why she chose to participate, “I wanted to raise the profile of females in a wide array of digital technologies for our students and give recognition for the work the computing teachers have put in, especially over the last five or so years, raising the number of opportunities for girls (and all students) at our school.” Read the full interview
When reflecting on his school’s current provision, Pete, who has also completed I Belong, shared this insightful comment, “I don’t think you have to be female to be a feminist, but my lived experience is limited and privileged. If I want my students to be inspired to use their computing skills to make the world a better place then I owe it to them to ensure that the people I hold up as examples and role models look like them, sound like them and show them that they too can succeed.” Read the full interview
I Belong includes a handbook that shares a wide range of initiatives, curriculum units and printed posters (and a template for creating your own). Through the programme dashboard, you can share your evidence and work towards a certificate for your school. Additionally, through the STEM Community, you can become involved as an I Belong Champion, joining a supportive group of peers and advocating for the programme.
STEM Learning’s CEO Séverine Trouillet, recently said: “The I Belong campaign is critical to help build an inclusive subject where girls feel they belong and can succeed. If girls feel they belong in tech, everybody benefits."
Everyone should feel they belong in any subject - but where we have a significant gender gap in subjects and industry careers, we owe it to the future generations to challenge this and work towards ensuring all young people feel that they can pursue any career in which they are interested. Through the programme, you can join our mission to help everyone to see computing as an exciting and rewarding career prospect. A young person’s future is their choice and shouldn’t be defined by their gender!
