Sounds of Progress, Part I: The Great Research Challenge - Engaging Girls in Computing

Denver, CO – Fewer young adults are training for technical careers. Women, especially, are opting out. Dr. Lecia Barker wants to change that. Dr. Barker heads the University of Colorado at Boulder's Evaluation and Research Group at ATLAS, the Alliance for Teaching, Learning and Society Institute.

The mission of ATLAS is to expand information technology training from Kindergarten through college. Barker is also a Senior Research Scientist in the National Center for Women and Information Technology, which aims to reverse the absence of women in technology as well. As part of fulfilling these goals, Dr. Barker has teamed up with the Computer Magnet Program at Denver Public Schools for her research. Together, they're determining more effective ways to recruit girls for technology classes.

This story introduces our exclusive new NSF series, and gives researchers a voice, providing them a direct pipeline for publishing their studies in audio to a national audience. Shelley Schlender reports.