A recent study by FFT Education Datalab found that girls make up only 37% of entries in mathematics, 23% in physics, and a mere 15% in computing. 

However, the interesting part is that girls excel in these areas despite these imbalances!

As parents, we have a unique opportunity to empower our daughters by allowing them to learn about coding. This blog will explore seven compelling reasons why every teenage girl should explore the exciting world of coding & technology. 

So, let’s break barriers, defy stereotypes, and inspire a new generation of female coders!

Reason 1: Increasing Demand For Digital Skills Across the UK 

Various industries are increasingly recognising the growing importance of technology. Highlighting this trend to motivate young people, especially girls, to consider coding a valuable skill is crucial.

In today’s digital age, coding & technology play a significant role in almost every aspect of our lives. Advancements in technology are revolutionising industries and reshaping the future of work. This can be seen in various sectors such as healthcare, finance, transportation & entertainment.

As the demand for digital skills increases across the UK, coding has emerged as a key competency. Coding can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Encouraging girls to embrace coding equips them with valuable technical skills. It empowers them to shape the future of our technology-driven world.

Additionally, there is an increasing need for a diverse workforce to meet this growing demand. By encouraging our daughters to explore coding & technology, we can help bridge the gender gap in the tech industry. This ensures that their unique perspectives and talents contribute to building innovative solutions in the future. 

Reason 2: Closing The Gender Gap In Coding & Technology. 

A significant gender disparity has long plagued the technology sector. Women are underrepresented in coding and other tech-related fields. This gender gap limits the potential of talented women and hinders the industry’s overall growth and innovation. 

By examining this existing gender disparity, we can shed light on the importance of closing the gap by motivating young girls to be involved in coding. We can create a more inclusive and diverse tech industry that benefits everyone by encouraging and supporting young girls to pursue tech education and careers.

Closing the gender gap in coding & technology is crucial for various reasons. One of the significant benefits is its positive impact on the industry. By encouraging more women to pursue tech roles, we can tap into a vast pool of talent, ideas, and perspectives that have been historically underrepresented. 

More women in tech roles promote diversity and inclusivity and foster innovation and creativity. Women can bring unique problem-solving skills and different approaches to collaboration. Additionally, they can bring fresh insights to the table. This diversity of thought leads to more well-rounded solutions, better products, and improved user experiences. 

Moreover, having a balanced gender representation in tech helps create a more equitable and fair work environment where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and succeed. By closing the gender gap in tech, we can create a brighter future for the industry and society.

Reason 3: Building Confidence And Creativity

Coding is not just about writing lines of code; it is a powerful tool that can foster creativity and confidence in young people, especially girls. Engaging in coding activities empowers young girls to think analytically and logically, boosting their confidence and nurturing their creative skills to tackle challenges.

Learning coding can have a transformative effect on young girls, boosting their confidence in various ways. As they acquire new coding skills, young girls gain a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance when they realise they can create something valuable from scratch. 

Additionally, coding allows your teen to unleash their creativity by providing a platform to express their unique ideas and perspectives. By coding their projects, your teen can see their visions come to life, fostering a sense of pride and self-belief. 

If you want to see a few examples of our past students’ work, visit the Girl Meets Code Club site here to see how they brought their ideas and visions to life through coding and building their websites!

Ultimately, learning to code equips young girls with a valuable skillset and helps them develop the confidence to tackle new challenges and pursue their passions fearlessly.

Reason 4: Expanding Career Opportunities in Coding & Technology. 

With the rapid advancements in technology, new career opportunities are constantly emerging. Getting your daughter involved in coding can open doors to many tech-related careers. The options are limitless, from software engineering to data analysis and web development to artificial intelligence. 

For example, your teen could become an AI/Machine Learning Engineer, where your teen could be working on building intelligent systems that can learn and adapt on their own. They would be able to develop cutting-edge algorithms and technologies that power self-driving cars and virtual personal assistants or even revolutionise industries like healthcare, finance, or agriculture.

Moreover, your teen has so many opportunities to pursue lucrative careers. Look at the embedded engineering field, for example, where professionals earn an average salary of £71,000. That’s a remarkable 145% more than the UK average salary of £29,000. 

Due to the ever-expanding career opportunities, you can see the long-term advantages of your teenager’s involvement in this field. Through coding, young people can acquire valuable skills that unlock doors to lucrative professions such as software development, web design, cybersecurity, and data analysis.

Reason 5: Empowering Girls To Shape The Future

Your daughters can have an incredible impact in shaping the future through coding. Encouraging your daughters to get involved in coding empowers them to contribute to a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.

Girls can bring unique perspectives and fresh ideas that can revolutionise technology use. Imagine the breakthroughs and advancements achieved by having equal representation and input from both genders. Coding skills empower girls to make a positive impact on the world. By learning to code, girls gain the ability to create innovative solutions to real-world problems that matter to them. 

Whether it’s developing mobile applications to promote education, designing websites to raise awareness about social issues, or programming robots to assist in healthcare, coding allows girls to channel their creativity and passion into projects that can truly make a difference. 

By embracing coding, girls can become agents of change and contribute to shaping a better future for themselves and society. 

So, why not encourage your daughter to explore the exciting world of coding and empower her to be a force for good in the world?

Reason 6: Promoting Gender Equality

Gender equality is not just a buzzword; it holds immense importance in shaping a fair and inclusive society. When we promote gender equality, we open the doors to a myriad of positive effects in our communities.

Teaching coding to girls breaks gender stereotypes by challenging the notion that specific fields are only for boys. By encouraging girls to explore coding, we are promoting gender equality and empowering them to pursue their interests and aspirations regardless of societal expectations. Breaking the stereotype that coding is a male-dominated field inspires more girls to embrace technology and pursue careers in STEM. This ultimately contributes to a more balanced and inclusive society.

When we encourage young girls to get interested in coding, we equip them with a valuable skill set. This leads to fulfilling careers and financial independence. Girls can break through societal barriers when given equal access to coding education. This gives them the chance to contribute their unique perspectives to the tech industry. This drives innovation and paves the way for more diverse and inclusive technology solutions. By promoting gender equality through coding, we create a world where every voice is heard, respected, and valued.

Reason 7: Realising Their Full Potential 

Getting your daughters into coding is about more than just teaching them a new skill. It’s about unlocking their full potential. One powerful way to encourage your girls to code is by increasing their awareness of the abundance of coding programs and resources tailored to them. Numerous initiatives and organisations actively promote girls’ participation in coding.

From after-school coding clubs to online tutorials and coding camps. Several resources provide a supportive and inclusive environment for girls to learn and thrive. By highlighting the availability of these coding programs and resources, we can empower our daughters to explore their passions. This will ignite their creativity and pave the way for a future filled with endless possibilities. Why not allow them to step into this exciting world of coding?

Fortunately, several organisations provide invaluable support and mentorship tailored to encourage more girls to get interested in tech. That’s why we started the Girl Meets Code Programme at GT Scholars. This program has been created to assist girls aged 12-16 in learning about technology and coding. 

The program aims to support girls by boosting their confidence to pursue careers in technology & coding. It also focuses on enhancing their leadership, communication, and soft skills while providing guidance from role models and mentors.

With the Girl Meets Code programme, parents can ensure their girls receive guidance and encouragement to thrive in coding! 

In conclusion, learning coding equips teenage girls with valuable skills. Coding empowers them to be active participants in shaping the future. It also opens doors to exciting career opportunities.

By closing the gender gap in tech, promoting gender equality, and providing resources tailored for girls, we can create a more inclusive and diverse tech industry. Additionally, encouraging girls to learn coding unlocks their potential and enables them to make a positive impact through innovative solutions.

So, let’s empower our young girls and inspire them to explore the exciting world of coding!

Several barriers prevent young girls from entering the world of coding or other STEM-related subjects. However, more girls are interested in STEM subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math than before!

According to the UK Parliament Report on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM, at the A level, girls accounted for 44% of all STEM entries and 51% of all science entries in 2022. In fact, there has been a 35% increase in the number of girls taking STEM A-level courses in England since 2010. 

Girls now make up half of the science A-level entries, with a significant increase of around 44% in the number of girls taking biology, chemistry, and physics A-level courses between 2010 and 2022. Approximately 31,000 more girls chose STEM subjects in 2022 compared to 2010. 

However, despite this incredible progress, women still comprise only 25% of the coding sector. Hidden potential, inspiring stories, and unexplored opportunities for girls lie behind this disparity.

As parents, you play a pivotal role in shaping your child’s future, and we firmly believe that nurturing their interests and talents in coding can open doors to limitless opportunities.

Through the Girls Meet Code Programme, we aim to empower young women in coding with knowledge, tools, and support for an inclusive and diverse landscape.

Are you intrigued? Ready to challenge the status quo and participate in this transformative movement? Get started on the journey to help your teen realise their full potential with the FREE #GirlsMeetCode Programme! Find out more here! 

Girls’ Stellar Achievements Outperform Boys in Physics and Computer Science!

The number of women arriving to study computer science in a year has been incredible. The year’s intake has doubled compared to the national average of 16%. 

Over the past few decades, we have witnessed a substantial increase in women pursuing careers in this field. Various factors have attributed to this shift, including improved equality initiatives, tech companies emphasising diversity and inclusion more, and increasing awareness of coding opportunities.

However, there is still a lot of progress toward achieving equality goals in the technology sector. Girls still represent a relatively small percentage of participants in mathematics (37%), physics (23%), and computing (15%). 

Moreover, these disparities are not reflected in academic achievement.

Research conducted by FFT Education Datalab in January 2023 revealed that the variance in average grades between female and male students was most pronounced in physics and computer science, with girls actually outperforming boys! 

What Does This Mean for Your Teen? 

The data highlights the importance of removing perceived barriers for girls because they have so much potential to be successful coders! Parents, educators, and tech companies must work together to create supportive learning environments and provide mentorship opportunities for aspiring female coders. 

How Do You Achieve This? 

A Supportive Environment: Encourages comfort about various career options, including coding. It also ensures that your child feels supported regardless of their chosen path. Role Models – Exposure to successful female coders through books, documentaries, or workshops can inspire and motivate them.

Encourage Hands-On Learning: Engage your child in coding-related activities, online tutorials, and coding clubs to develop their skills and passion for technology. Nurturing an interest in coding is not just about steering our children toward lucrative careers; it goes beyond that. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and resilience—the traits that will serve them well throughout their lives. It encourages them to think outside the box and to see the world as an interconnected system of limitless possibilities.

A Few Interesting Facts You May Not Know

As parents, you can play a crucial role in empowering your daughters to break free from stereotypes and pursue their passions. Research has shown that a young person’s attitude towards science at school and their parents’ attitudes towards science strongly influence their aspirations in science. 

Similarly, when it comes to physics, parents’ enjoyment of the subject, perception of their child’s academic abilities, and belief in the subject’s career prospects are key factors in determining whether their child will pursue physics post-16.

Moreover, parents’ expectations and attitudes towards their child’s future occupation have long-lasting effects. Studies have demonstrated that parents’ expectations at age 15 are linked to their children’s aspirations at age 17. Additionally, it was found that their job expectations at age 17 are associated with their child’s job at age 28.

Additionally, it was found that the parents of girls were less likely to discuss careers in computer science with their daughters than parents of boys.

The Importance of Female Role Models in Coding

As a parent, it is crucial to understand the significance of female role models in the world of coding and technology for our youth. Introducing girls to inspiring female figures in coding can profoundly impact their aspirations and career choices. 

Representation matters. Therefore, successful women in coding positions break gender stereotypes and empower young girls to pursue their passions. Female role models reinforce that anyone can excel in coding regardless of gender. We can encourage children to code with these dynamic role models for a more equitable and innovative future.

Inspiring Success Stories 

Despite the challenges, numerous women have shattered stereotypes and contributed significantly to the coding sector. Highlighting these success stories can serve as a powerful motivation for young girls.

Emily Anderson was born in the UK and is one of twelve women from the WAAC recruited as codebreakers in 1917 – she stayed on after the war in GCCS as its sole female codebreaker. People have described her as ‘among the best cryptanalysts in the world’.

Samaira Mehta is a lot like other kids her age. However, at the same time, one thing also makes this 10-year-old standout. Mehta is the CEO, founder and inventor of CoderBunnyz, a board game that teaches players as young as 4 basic coding concepts. 

Mehta created the board game at age 6½ or 7. She says she found inspiration after her engineer father started teaching her coding. Through her research, Mehta found a gap in the market: a product to assist beginner coders in learning programming.

These inspiring role models share one thing: coding helped open many doors to great opportunities. Therefore, coding is a great way to help young women have successful careers. 

Importance of Coding in the modern world

Coding professionals are no longer limited to working purely in computer science. In today’s technology-driven world, it is at the heart of numerous industries, from healthcare and finance to entertainment and manufacturing. 

Additionally, by learning to code, your teen will gain the ability to think critically, solve problems, and develop computational thinking skills. These skills empower tech careers, fostering versatility and adaptability in an ever-changing job market. Moreover, as automation becomes more prevalent, coding knowledge will be essential, ensuring their employability in the future.

Addressing Societal Challenges: Coding skills can empower girls to address pressing societal challenges and positively impact the world. Many female coders have led in developing tech solutions for sustainability, healthcare, and education in marginalised communities. Girls with coding skills can become influential change-makers for a sustainable, inclusive, and progressive society.

Promoting Gender Diversity in Tech: Increasing the number of female coders is not only about achieving gender equality but also about enhancing the tech industry’s creativity and innovation. Studies have shown that diverse teams bring more inclusive perspectives, resulting in better problem-solving and innovative solutions. Therefore, when women join tech through coding programs, they bring unique insights, driving inclusive product development. This gender diversity in tech can lead to a more balanced and equitable technology landscape.

Are you looking to empower your teen for a successful future in coding? Join the FREE #GirlsMeetCode Programme!

The program helps girls between 12 and 16 learn about technology and coding. We will explore various digital subjects related to creative coding. At the workshops, girls will collaborate and brainstorm ways to use technology to solve everyday issues. They will discover the enjoyable aspects of coding when they employ it to bring ideas to fruition.

This program aims to empower girls to pursue tech careers by boosting self-assurance and confidence in any field. It aims to improve leadership, communication, and soft skills, with guidance and support from role models and mentors.

Pave the way for your child’s bright and promising future with Girls Meet Code! Find out more here! 

The FREE Girls Meets Code programme empowers girls aged 12-16 by introducing them to technology and coding. The programme aims to boost girls’ confidence in pursuing careers in technology, coding, or any field of their choice. It also focuses on developing their leadership, communication, and soft skills. Role models and mentors will provide valuable support throughout the programme. Find out more here. 

Coding skills are in high demand and are becoming increasingly crucial for future careers.

Coding equips girls with practical tools and fosters critical thinking and adaptability, preparing them for diverse career paths and ensuring their success. The tech sector offers two million job opportunities and actively seeks to enhance workplace diversity by recruiting more women to provide them with rewarding and high-paying tech careers.

According to Lloyds’ 2023 report, women comprise 50% of the UK workforce but hold only about a quarter of tech industry positions. In an increasingly digital world, coding provides a pathway to numerous opportunities and empowers girls to participate in the tech industry. Sign up here to join this FREE exciting programme that helps girls break into the world of technology and coding! 

Skill 1: Coding and Programming Skills

Coding and programming skills have become increasingly significant in today’s digital world. These skills empower individuals to understand and navigate the technology-driven environment and open up many opportunities. By learning to code, teenagers can develop problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, and creativity. They gain the ability to create websites, apps, and software, which are in high demand across various industries. 

Participating in the Girls Meets Code programme gives your teen a chance to gain coding skills in a fun, engaging way.

Skill 2: Problem-Solving Abilities

Coding is an excellent way for teens to develop problem-solving skills. The Girls Meet programme allows girls aged 12-16 to develop problem-solving skills through technology and coding. By exploring creative coding and digital topics, girls attending the workshops will learn how to use technology to solve everyday problems. This hands-on experience will show them the fun side of coding and help them understand the practical applications of problem-solving in various areas of their lives.

Moreover, coding teaches teens to seek help when needed, where they learn to give and receive feedback, an essential part of problem-solving. Overall, coding provides teens with a comprehensive set of problem-solving skills that can benefit them in various aspects of their lives.

Skill 3: Critical Thinking Skills

Coding promotes critical thinking, analytical skills, identifying patterns and making connections. Different situations may require various tools, but critical thinking skills are essential in effectively solving problems. Teaching teens coding is a powerful way to develop their critical thinking skills, which will benefit them throughout their lives.

Critical thinking involves examining available information and making judgments based on it. This process is a significant part of coding. Coding entails identifying and analysing problems in data, creating and applying potential solutions, and evaluating the results to determine if the fixes were successful.

In essence, coding is heavily intertwined with critical thinking. The critical thinking skills acquired through the Girls Meet Code Programme are highly transferable and valuable. These skills are essential throughout all stages of life and are continuously practised by coders.

Skill 4: Collaboration and Teamwork

The Girls Meets Code program offers a valuable opportunity for teens interested in coding to foster essential collaboration and teamwork skills. In coding, projects often involve multiple programmers and designers collaborating to tackle various aspects of a problem. 

By participating in this program, teenagers can develop effective communication and task delegation abilities, enabling them to work harmoniously towards shared objectives. Through engaging in collaborative coding experiences, your teen will gain valuable experience in teamwork, enhancing their potential to make meaningful contributions as team members. 

Moreover, collaborative projects encourage teens to effectively manage conflicts and disagreements while also learning to leverage their team members’ diverse strengths and resources.

Skill 5: Creativity and Innovation

Coding is more than just a technical skill; it is a powerful tool that fosters creativity and innovation. In today’s rapidly evolving world, where technological advancements are shaping every aspect of our lives and global problems are becoming more complex, creative problem-solving skills and innovative thinkers are needed. 

The Girls Meets Code program stimulates creativity and innovation by teaching girls how to code. When faced with obstacles in coding, students are encouraged to think creatively and explore alternative approaches, fostering their ability to think outside the box. Through coding, girls learn to think critically, solve problems, and approach challenges from different angles. This process encourages them to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions. 

By nurturing their coding skills, the Girls Meets Code program equips girls with the ability to adapt to the changing world and empowers them to become future innovators and leaders. 

Sign up here! 

Skill 6: Communication Skills

Girls Meet Code programme helps girls develop communication skills by engaging in group coding activities, learning programming languages and developing essential communication skills.

Working together on projects requires effective communication and collaboration, fostering teamwork and interpersonal skills. As the girls brainstorm ideas and discuss solutions, they practice articulating and expressing their thoughts clearly.

The programme also aims to boost girls’ confidence in pursuing tech and coding careers, which involves effectively presenting and communicating their work. The role models and mentors also provide support and guidance, helping girls develop leadership and communication skills.

Moreover, learning programming languages helps in language acquisition as they become familiar with the syntax and logic of coding languages. These skills can be transferred to learning other languages. This is because coding languages also require understanding and applying specific rules and assigning meaning and structures.

Skill 7: Confidence and Empowerment

This programme strives to boost young girls’ confidence and empower them in several ways. Firstly, it aims to increase their confidence in pursuing careers in technology, coding, or any field they choose. Additionally, the programme focuses on enhancing their leadership capabilities and improving communication and soft skills. The programme equips them with the necessary support from role models and mentors. Ultimately, it seeks to create an environment that fosters confidence, empowerment, and personal growth among participating girls.

The Girls Meets Code program acknowledges that girls of all ages can gain valuable insights by connecting with role models from diverse backgrounds in various sectors and industries. This inspires them to dream big and exposes them to different career opportunities. This programme helps promote awareness among young girls to show them the many options available in the technology sector. 

Learning to code empowers girls to understand and navigate the technology-driven world. Additionally, it opens up numerous opportunities for them in various industries. The Girls Meets Code programme helps girls develop critical problem-solving skills and analytical thinking. These skills give your teen the ability to identify patterns and make connections. 

Sign Up Today!

The programme helps girls enhance their communication, task delegation, and conflict management skills. Your teen will gain these skills by participating in collaborative coding projects, making them valuable team members. Coding fosters creativity and innovation, encouraging girls to think creatively and explore alternative approaches. It also helps girls develop communication skills and provides support and guidance, boosting confidence, empowerment, and personal growth.

By developing these skills, young girls can have a successful future with equal opportunities. These skills help your teen navigate the digital world, think critically and creatively, collaborate effectively, and communicate confidently. The Girls Meets Code program empowers girls to pursue passions and achieve goals in tech and beyond.

Sign up today!