04/02/2021
By Robin Hall

The College of Education invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Lisa Fox on “Examining the Factors Which Affect Middle School Male and Female Students' Interest in Computer Science.”

Date: Thursday, April 15, 2021
Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should email
Michelle_ScribnerMacLean@uml.edu at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Dissertation Chair: Michelle Scribner-MacLean, Ed.D. Clinical Professor, College of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Dissertation Committee:

  • Anita Greenwood, Ed.D., Dean Emeritus, College of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Stephen Sanborn, Ed.D., Scholar of Practice

Abstract:

Women are underrepresented in the field of computer science. The presence of female computer scientists has changed over time, with a downward trend in the past few decades, with only 18% of women compared to men earning their degrees in computer science. Increasing the numbers of female students who pursue computer science not only will lead to gender parity, but will help fill the projected job openings in computer science. Based on the high school enrollment in Advanced Placement Computer Science, the gender disparity is present at the high school level in District X. Research was therefore conducted to explore how computer science experiences in lower grades influence male and female students’ interest in the subject. Numerous studies at the higher education level have indicated that societal and personal factors contribute to women’s lack of interest in computer science (CS), in particular low self-efficacy, and lack of a sense of belonging. However, studies have not been conducted that specifically target middle school females and the relationship among factors including CS experiences in elementary grades, self-efficacy, belonging or acceptance in a group, and interest in computer science. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that led to the gender gap in computer science enrollment in the district. The study was designed to determine the impact the computer science Project Lead the Way course has on male and female eighth graders. A correlation was found for both males and females between self-efficacy, interest, and sense of belonging in computer science and their desire to continue learning about computer science. However, the PLTW program does not appear to be significantly narrowing the gender gap in computer science.