Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University is taking significant steps to address the gender gap in computer science by introducing high school girls to computer programming and related occupations. Following a successful first year, EMU will host the Gigabytes Summer Computing Camp, an all-day, week-long program from July 22 through July 26. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Eastern’s campus, aiming to inspire young women to pursue fields related to computer science.

Krish Narayanan, department head and professor of Computer Science at Eastern, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in promoting gender diversity in STEM fields.

“Women have been historically underrepresented in computer science. Programs like this summer camp provide young women the confidence and encouragement to explore technology careers,” said Narayanan. “The camp is designed to educate high school girls about the possibilities within computer science and offer them direct interaction with knowledgeable staff who can answer their questions.”

The program promises to be educational, utilizing robot-based programming to teach problem-solving skills. Participants will engage in programming robots and drones using tools such as Ozobots, LEGO prime robots, and educational drones. Additionally, participants will have opportunities to interact with college students who are computer science majors and members of the Women in Computer Science Club.

“The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for girls to explore technology in an engaging and interactive environment,” added Narayanan. “Seeing more young girls become interested in computer science and technology is always a fulfilling sight.”

Gigabytes will conclude with a mock hackathon and a career discovery event. The camp is sponsored by NASA’s Michigan Space Grant Consortium.

The camp is open to high school girls with a registration fee of $25. For more information or to register, visit Engage@EMU.

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing various degrees across its multiple colleges. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University or its news updates, visit the University's website or EMU Today.