Sixteen-year-old
'Anyone can be a programmer - no matter their age, background or gender,' said Thompson, who was among 65 students who participated in the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a
More than 50 women from Raytheon Missiles & Defense participated, many as mentors who shared knowledge from their own careers in digital technology.
'We need more diversity in digital leadership. Reaching these students early on may help with that,' said
Students learned to use the web programming language HTML to build a website and an online personality quiz, and also created a site about a cause or topic important to them.
Thompson's site dealt with plastics - specifically, how it is recycled, how it can be used to create bioplastics, and which plastics are most popular. A quiz on her site revealed how plastic shows up in unexpected places, like soda cans and paper cups.
'I learned a lot. The teachers were very knowledgeable and helpful when I had problems,' Thompson said. 'I loved all of the projects and how we got an increasing amount of flexibility in those projects as the course progressed.'
In addition to the hands-on experience, the girls also received career advice from a panel of three women in senior positions at Raytheon Missiles & Defense:
'I never mapped out my career as a student. I decided to pursue math because that's what I loved,' Curcio said. 'If you're unsure about what to do, start with what you love and go from there.'
Ernzen spoke of being one of only a few women majoring in aeronautical engineering at
'I had to prove myself every day - prove that I was capable,' Ernzen said. 'My background or gender shouldn't have mattered, but it definitely ignited my competitive spirit.'
It's also important to know your strengths, be confident and network, Bates said.
'I'm still learning how to sell myself,' Bates said. 'Competency and connection are important.'
Programs like Girls Who Code is doing more than teaching girls to code. It's building self-confidence, shaping goals and changing culture.
'I have gotten to see powerful women in STEM - powerful women being leaders - as I'm learning to be one of those leaders myself,' said
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