The Impact of the 'Coding Girls' Program on High School Students’ Skills, Awareness and Aspirations

Stefania Basiglio, Daniela Del Boca and Chiara Pronzato

No 19477, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: This paper evaluates the impact of the “Coding Girls†educational enrichment program designed to address the underrepresentation of women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Implemented in Italy, the program seeks to stimulate the interest of young female students in programming and science, encouraging them to consider STEM†related fields of study. Through a randomized controlled trial involving 28 classes across 10 secondary schools in Turin, Italy, we assess the program’s effectiveness. Our results show that Coding Girls significantly enhances the programming skills of both male and female students. Moreover, it raises awareness among students about gender disparities in STEM†related professions. While the program positively influences boys’ aspirations to pursue higher education in STEM disciplines, it does not have a similar effect on girls.

Keywords: Gender; Stem; Higher educational choice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I23 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-09
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