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Rural implementation of Girls’ Programming Network (GPN)
Citation
Clayton, SM and Hawkins, C and Brandsema, M, Rural implementation of Girls' Programming Network (GPN), Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 31, (2) pp. 38-45. ISSN 1839-7387 (2021) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2021 AIJRE
Official URL: https://journal.spera.asn.au/index.php/AIJRE/artic...
Abstract
A small-scale pilot study was conducted in north-west Tasmania to investigate adolescent girls’
willingness to participate in informal STEM education, through exploring their perceptions and
experiences of computer science (CS), and their future aspirations. This pilot study was funded
by an Inspiring Australia Public Science Event Grant, enabling the delivery of two local Girls’
Programming Network (GPN) workshops by the two Sydney-based GPN co-founders. The aim of
this case study was to determine the viability of establishing an ongoing and sustainable northwest Tasmanian GPN, which would provide rural adolescent girls with opportunities to explore
programming, connect them with mentors and role models, and show them what potential
career opportunities exist beyond family and local contexts. Qualitative methods of data
collection comprised focus group interviews and artefact elicitation with the participants, and
individual interviews with the program co-founders. The results indicate that single-sex informal
CS education opportunities are valued by adolescent girls, and that typical gender stereotypes
can be changed due to the experience of engaging in them. The success of the pilot study
indicates that establishing the GPN in a rural area to provide adolescent girls with free and fun CS
experiences is worthwhile and viable.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | STEM outreach and engagement, female, computer science, programming and coding; adolescent |
Research Division: | Education |
Research Group: | Specialist studies in education |
Research Field: | Educational technology and computing |
Objective Division: | Education and Training |
Objective Group: | Schools and learning environments |
Objective Field: | Gender aspects in education |
UTAS Author: | Clayton, SM (Dr Stephanie Clayton) |
UTAS Author: | Hawkins, C (Dr Cherie Hawkins) |
UTAS Author: | Brandsema, M (Mrs Jillian Brandsema) |
ID Code: | 145779 |
Year Published: | 2021 |
Deposited By: | Education |
Deposited On: | 2021-08-05 |
Last Modified: | 2022-05-11 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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