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Soledad Antelada Toledano is an accomplished cybersecurity analyst currently a senior advisor at Google, formerly the Deputy CISO for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign, and founder of the Girls Can Hack initiative.

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IMPACT: Frances E Allen, the first woman to be awarded the top prize in CS, the Alan Turing Award, is recognized for her significant contributions to compilers and high-performance computing systems working and researching for nearly five decades at IBM. She contributed to the development of the FORTRAN language as well as the design of high-level languages for supercomputers.

Classroom Integration Connection: Similarly to my other assignment, I’d have students explore the journey and early life of Frances, analyzing the qualities that matter most when a person needs to overcome difficult upbringing yet still find success. I’d then have them explore in depth what he contributions to tech were, defining and researching around what compilers are, and how Frances contributed to their development and expansion.

LINK: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/frances-e-allen

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Impact: Sabrina is a celebrated astrophysicist, dubbed the “next Albert Einstein”, who graduated from MIT Physics as valedictorian, where her and her colleagues discovered the “spin memory effect” which could detect the net of effects of gravitational waves. After earning her PhD at just 21 years old from Harvard University and a post-doctorate fellowship at Princeton, she currently leads a team working on encoding the universe into a hologram to better understand and unite spacetime with quantum theory.

Classroom Integration Connection: I think in a CS course, since Sabrina mainly studies Physics, I’d have students explore her website, read about her current work, and focus on learning about her upbringing and journey, showing how a product of Chicago Public School system can end up being a PhD candidate from Harvard at just 21 years old. Then, as an extension, I'd have students explore how technology supports the kind of research Sabrina is undertaking (black hole theory, etc).

LINK: https://sd2.org/sabrina-gonzalez-pasterski-the-next-einstein-in-the-making/

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Sarah focuses on a cross of cognitive brain science and computer science as a research assistant at Brigham and Women's Hospital to create program algorithms to help epilepsy patients.

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WHO: Carol Shaw

IMPACT: She is widely recognized as one of the very first female professional video game designers and programmers. While working at Activision, Shaw designed, coded, and engineered River Raid for the Atari 2600. The game became a critical and commercial smash hit—selling over a million copies—and is celebrated for pioneering procedural generation techniques and dynamic vertical-scrolling gameplay on highly limited hardware.

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Classroom Integration Connection: I wonder if I can find an open source copy of her game to show as an example and talk about her in class at that time. Oh I found one - https://javatari.org/?PAGE_BACK_CSS=rgb(188,179,143)&ROM=http://www.atarimania.com/2600/dumps/river_raid.zip

LINK: https://www.create-learn.us/blog/famous-women-in-computer-science/

https://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/800/vcg-interview-carol-shaw-female-video-game-pioneer-2

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Carol Shaw is widely recognized as the first woman who design video games professionally “The less publicized superstars, I would have to include Carol Shaw, who was simply the best programmer of t…

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WHO: Kristina M. Johnson

IMPACT: She spearheaded foundational breakthroughs in spatial light modulators, high-speed 3D imaging, and color-management systems that bridged optical physics with digital computing architectures. Her patented polarization-control technologies and commercial spin-offs—such as ColorLink, which was later acquired by RealD—laid the technical groundwork for modern 3D digital projection, display hardware, and optical data processing.

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Classroom Integration Connection: I could have students research her technology innovation as part of our history of computing unit bringing her accomplishment more to light.

LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristina_M._Johnson

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“Kristina Johnson” redirects here. For the Filipina American news anchor, see Kristine Johnson. For others people with similar names, see Christine Johnson.

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Ada Lovelace, widely recognized as the first computer programmer, made groundbreaking claims when she translated and annotated "Elements of Charles Babbage's Analytical Machine". These claims included the analytical engine's ability to program Bernoulli numbers, using it to create complex music and graphics, and outlined more complex concepts such as looping and conditional branching. She took the ideas and engineering of Charles Babbage and brought it even further than anyone thought possible, and eventually had a programming language named after her--though not in her lifetime. In her day, her achievements were largely unrecognized due to Victorian-era gender stereotypes.

Sources:

Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ada-Lovelace

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace

New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/ada-lovelace-the-first-tech-visionary

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Johnson Space Center Director, 2013 - 2018

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WHO: Dr. Ellen Ochoa

IMPACT: One of the first women in space, Dr. Ochoa eventually became the 2nd ever woman to head up the Johnson Space Center and the first Hispanic person to hold the position. She specialized in remote manipulator systems and retired after a successful 30 year career at NASA.

Classroom Integration Connection: Dr. Ochoa would be great to include in the first diversity in STEM lesson I do with my classes at the beginning of the year, being both a woman and Hispanic. I would also feature her in the women's history month activities.

LINK: https://www.nasa.gov/people/ellen-ochoa/

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Dán von Neumann photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt in 1957

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WHO: Klára Dán von Neumann

IMPACT: As one of the first computer coders, Klára Dán worked on the MANIAC I machine as one of it's primary programmers. She also wrote the code for the 'Monte Carlo method' to store and analyze large quantities of data, which is still used for election predictions and was used in COVID-19 forecasting.

Classroom Integration Connection: I would include Klára Dán as part of the diversity in STEM lesson I do at the very beginning of the year, integrate her into the women's history month activities we complete, and also go over some of her contributions during the data unit, as most of her programming prowess lied in data storage and analysis.

LINK: https://engelsbergideas.com/portraits/klara-dan-esoteric-intellect-who-wrote-the-first-modern-computer-code/

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Margaret Hamilton is an American computer scientist who led the team that wrote the software for NASA’s Apollo missions to the moon.  She worked at MIT and later founded her own software companies.  Margaret helped create the very idea of software engineering at a time when computer programming was new and few women were recognized in the field.  She is known for her intelligence, leadership,  problem solving, and courage to take risks in a male dominated field.

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Edith Clark was the first woman to earn a degree in electrical engineering. She worked for General Electric where she filed a patent application for her invention of a graphical calculator. She want this to be used in the solution of electric power transmission problems. Later on, she became a professor at the University of Texas. I could display a poster of Edith Clark in my STEM Lab to help with disparities and to promote females in STEM!

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/educ/exhibits/womenshallfame/html/clarke.html#:~:text=Ms.%20Clarke%20left%20New%20York,in%20that%20field%20from%20MIT.

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Ada Lovelace widely recognized as the world's first computer programmer! She introduced looping and was the first to distinguish between hardware and software! This would be a great way to show students that women are great engineers and computer scientists!

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/ada-lovelace-the-first-tech-visionary

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Reshma Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. She’s a leading voice for women and girls in STEM and the creator of the “teach girls bravery, not perfection” movement. She helps every girl feel brave and excited about computer science!

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WHO: Katherine Johnson

IMPACT: She was an African-American space scientist and mathematician. She continues to be a leading figure in American space history and has made enormous contributions to America’s aeronautics and space programs by her incorporation of computing tools.

Classroom Integration Connection: I have a Women in STEM bulletin board that I could highlight her and her accomplishments on. We could also add her into our Girls Who Code after school club. Since she was a “human calculator” we could set up a mock “mission control” to mimic the work that she and John Glenn used to do.

LINK: Find out more about Katherine Johnson and her accomplishments here.

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WHO: Dr. Ellen Ochoa

IMPACT: She was the first Hispanic woman to go to space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery. She later became the first Hispanic woman to serve as the Director of the Johnson Space Center, a role that involved overseeing major aspects of human spaceflight, including the computer systems and software that support them.

Classroom Integration Connection: I have a Women in STEM bulletin board that I could highlight her and her accomplishments on. We could also add her into our Girls Who Code afterschool club. We also cover the Science standards for Sun, moon, & planets where I could integrate her accomplishments into by adding STEM projects related to Space Mission controls.

LINK: Find out more about Dr. Ochoa and her accomplishments here.

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Helen Li -- Professor and Department Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Dr. Li works in Neuromorphic computing. She hopes to change the landscape of AI to be a more sustainable task.

Classroom Integration: As students learn about machine learning, they can study what Dr. Li is doing. We know that data centers are using a lot of natural resources, so it would be good for students to see someone like them looking for ways to make AI more sustainable.

Link to More Information about Helen Li

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Impact: Frances Oldham Kelsey worked at the FDA. In the early 1960's, she led the charge to stop the drug thalidomide from being used in the U.S. This drug, although used in other countries, was shown to cause birth defects and death to fetuses.

Classroom Integration: I could use her story to introduce our genetics unit so that students can see how there are environmental factors that can impact offspring. Students can do some additional research on how other scientists test medicines and the process of new drug approvals.

Link for Further Research into Frances Oldham Kelsey

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Impact: Franklin used x-ray diffraction to identify the double helix shape of DNA. Her work was used by Watson & Crick to make a model of DNA.

Classroom Integration: Students can create pixel art to show the coding of bases in DNA. Students can research how she discovered the double helix shape.

Link for more information about Rosalind Franklin.

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Tovo Milio is a storyteller who takes big ideas and makes them into simple engaging stories. She shows the that STEM is not just individuals in lab coats conducting experiments but for everyone because science is apart of everyone's everyday lives. Milio could show my students how to have a unique voice, communication is key and to question everything.

https://www.math.tau.ac.il/~milo/

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Dr. Sally Ride

Dr. Ride was the first American Woman to travel to space. When Title IX paved the way for Dr. Ride to apply and earn the legal right to compete in equal footing with her male counterparts. She continued to encourage young women in STEM by being a professor.

Classroom connection can be made to show how women have been fighting for the right for women in STEM education. To never give up and their are many extraordinary women that young women can look up to in the STEM field.

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=WmtNAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA11&dq=Dr.+Sally+Ride&ots=P3wKQGKOPW&sig=_TMDB5W8zXkb2FOnpFQ0oXMpvzc#v=onepage&q=Dr.%20Sally%20Ride&f=false

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The definitive biography of Sally Ride, America’s first woman in space, with exclusive insights from Ride’s family and partner, by the ABC reporter who covered NASA during its transformation from a test-pilot boys’ club to a more inclusive elite.Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space. A member of the first astronaut class to include women, she broke through a quarter-century of white male fighter jocks when NASA chose her for the seventh shuttle mission, cracking the celestial ceiling and inspiring several generations of women. After a second flight, Ride served on the panels investigating the Challenger explosion and the Columbia disintegration that killed all aboard. In both instances she faulted NASA’s rush to meet mission deadlines and its organizational failures. She cofounded a company promoting science and education for children, especially girls. Sherr also writes about Ride’s scrupulously guarded personal life—she kept her sexual orientation private—with exclusive access to Ride’s partner, her former husband, her family, and countless friends and colleagues. Sherr draws from Ride’s diaries, files, and letters. This is a rich biography of a fascinating woman whose life intersected with revolutionary social and scientific changes in America. Sherr’s revealing portrait is warm and admiring but unsparing. It makes this extraordinarily talented and bold woman, an inspiration to millions, come alive.

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Stephanie Aceves is a standout Latina in cybersecurity—formerly an ethical hacker for Fortune‑level clients, she quickly advanced to leadership roles and now leads threat response at Tanium while producing engaging, educational content (including YouTube videos on hacks like SolarWinds). Beyond her technical work, she mentors and coaches young Latinas entering STEM, funding scholarships and empowering minority talent in tech).

https://www.stephanieaceves.com/

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Jean E. Sammet was a pioneering American computer scientist who co-designed COBOL and created FORMAC—the first widely used programming language for symbolic algebraic manipulation—during her tenure at Sylvania and IBM in the 1950s and 1960s (en.wikipedia.org). She also authored the influential 1969 textbook Programming Languages: History and Fundamentals and became the first female president of the Association for Computing Machinery, cementing her legacy as a leader in both technical innovation and professional community-building (en.wikipedia.org).

Classroom Integration Connection: I would start with a short lesson on Sammet’s role in designing COBOL and creating FORMAC, highlighting how early programming languages shaped modern computing. I would then follow with an activity where students explore basic syntax of COBOL (or a simplified pseudocode version) or compare old languages to modern ones (like Python), reinforcing that women have been foundational to CS from the start.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_E._Sammet

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Victoria Alonso is an Argentine film producer who played a key role in shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She rose from visual effects producer on Iron Man to executive producer on nearly every Marvel Studios film and series, and served as president of physical and post-production, visual effects, and animation. Alonso is known for championing diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.

Classroom Integration Connection: Alonso’s career highlights the importance of computer science in creating the visual effects seen in Marvel films. I would create a lesson that would explore how coding, algorithms, and software like Python, C++, and graphics engines (e.g., Unreal Engine) are used in VFX, animation, and rendering.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Alonso

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Virginia Holsinger created a shelf stable whey and soy milk alternative to aid in food scarcity. She is also credited with assisting in the creation of the brand Lactaid, assisting the US Military in development of a lactose free dehydrated milk powder, and the research and enzymes to develop the Beano the digestive aid.

My favorite unit in my 8th grade careers class is when we talk about STEM fields. I love finding ways to incorporate people who have made big impacts in ways we probably don't think of right away. I think we think of scientists in medical and environmental but I cannot wait to incorporate more food scientists. I would love to incorporate a women in STEM unit to showcase all the ways women have made ground breaking discoveries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Holsinger

https://www.invent.org/inductees/virginia-holsinger

https://www.dairyfoods.com/articles/97894-virginia-holsinger-named-to-national-inventors-hall-of-fame

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Edith Clark was a women of many firsts and broke barriers and norms as she pursued her interests. Born on 1883, she was orphaned at 12. She was able to use her inheritance to pursue a college degree. After working as a teacher, she secured a position as a computer assistant which led her to become one of the women 'human computers' in during World War I. She continued to break barriers when she became the first women to receive a MSc degree from MIT. Her impacts on Women in Engineering continued with the invention of the 'Clark Calculator' .

https://odetta.ai/blogs/edith-clarke-the-human-computer-who-revolutionized-engineering

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Women in History of STEM - Edith Clarke - First Female Electrical Engineer

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Ms. Allen is known for her work at IBM teaching FORTRAN and then optimizing compilers. Her pioneering work led her to win the A.M. Turing award. She trained to be a teacher and found her way to computer science almost by accident. In order to teach FORTRAN she had to learn it as she taught it. A spark was ignited when she looked into the compiler behind the FORTRAN. I believe her story can be an inspiration to my students because of her unconventional path to computer science and the fact that she attended state colleges and universities.

https://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/allen_1012327.cfm

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Emmy chose to study Mathematics at the university level, where she had to get special permission from each professor. She was one of only two female students. She passed examinations to attend the University of Gottingen, but was not admitted as a student, due to her gender, but was allowed to sit in on lectures. Later, rules were changed and she was admitted as a student, whence Emmy earned her PhD in Mathematics. Again, she was prevented from presenting her doctoral thesis, because of rules still restricting women. She nonetheless published her works and earned the praise of Albert Einstein as she helped solve a problem in Special Relativity. Her solution is referred to as Noether's Theorem.

Emmy is an example of a mind so bright, so ablaze, that all the obstacles in her path could not hold her back from shining. She is an inspiration to women, and to all people of the courage and passion to learn, contribute, and be judged equally regardless to stereotypes and biases in systems.

Photo and biography courtesy: https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Noether_Emmy/

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Sophie was fascinated by mathematics books from her father's library, including a book differential and integral calculus. Being prohibited from receiving formalized training, she opted to learn Latin and Greek on her own in order to read more advanced texts in calculus. Her parents, when they discovered her readings, tried to prevent her further studies by taking away her clothes and the firelight by which she read and kept warm. But Sophie nonetheless snuck into her father's library to continue her readings and self-study. Sophie excelled through her self-study and corresponded with the top mathematicians of her time, and of all time: Joseph-Louis Lagrange, Adrien-Marie Legendre, and Carl Friedrich Gauss. Gauss was notably impressed with "his" work (Sophie used the pseudonym M LeBlanc) and was astonished when he learned Sophie was the author of the correspondences he had received.

Sophie is a sterling example of a person who rose about barriers and worked to quench her unending thirst for knowledge in a subject that was not only inaccessible, but which was taboo for a young woman to even consider learning in her day.

Photo and biograph courtesy: Mactutor Biography of Mathematicians: https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Germain/

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Module 5 Padlet Assignment: Woman in Computer Science. 

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Module 5 Padlet Assignment: Woman in Computer Science. 

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Lisa Baumer grew up in rural New England, and she remembers the giant IBM computers that were in her high school computer lab, although she never had much use for them at the time. She remembers the invention of electronic mail (now commonly referred to as email) and waiting in line at UW’s Odegaard Undergraduate Library to try and retrieve hers, often with great difficulty and little success. Today, Ms. Baumer teaches English in an Alternative High School in Washington, and she still spends a lot of time learning how to interact with new technology.

She is currently studying for the Computer Science exam to add as an endorsement to her Professional Teaching Certification. She recognizes the need for more CS teachers to adequately prepare students for the 21st Century. She hopes to bring and/or expand CS classes and offerings to K-12 students on the Olympic Peninsula.

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Caroline Hersh-Rodeen is well known on campus as Ms. Hersh, the CS teacher with tattoos, an obsession with birds, and strong feelings about hard music. Her focus in CS is on education and outreach, especially in teaching kids about the ethics and danger of big data, and is always trying to find ways to get more nontraditional students involved in computer science.

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Edie Windsor is well known for being an LBGTQIA rights activist. She is best known for her last name being featured in the landmark case before the Supreme Court, United States v. Windsor, which overturned the Defense of Marriage Act and made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.

What is less known about her is that she was also the senior technical officer for IBM in New York City until 1975, and has worked in systems architecture since 1958 until her death in 2017. She was the founding president of PC Classics, and helped numerous LGBT organizations digitize as part of her activist work. Her impact is that she brought computing and marriage to those who hadn’t previously had access.

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Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist and researcher at MIT. She is a proud member and the creator of the Algorithmic Justice League, searching for ways to eliminate racial and gender bias in computing.

Her biography and documentary, Gender Shades, is one I show in my Computer Science classes each year. It's an important (and also entertaining) look at all the ways our data sets reflect our history and to move forward we must acknowledge the biases that still affect us today.

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Moon Duchin is an American mathematician who studies the geometry of political voting districts; specifically: the geometry of gerrymandering. Her work has led to significant impacts in determining, computationally, if districts were gerrymandered and presented evidence in court.

The gerrymandering of votings districts is directly connected to issues in social justice.

Moon Duchin's presence as a queer woman of color in STEM is an inspiration to others.

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Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University

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Moon Duchin | Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University

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Moon Duchin is a mathematician at Tufts University, where she is also a senior fellow in the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life and directs the interdisciplinary program in Science, Technology, and Society.

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Edith Clarke is considered the first female in the field of electrical engineering. 

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Edith Clarke, Electrical Engineer 1883-1959

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Edith Clarke, Electrical Engineer 1883-1959

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Born in Maryland, Edith attended Vassar College to study astronomy and mathematics. In 1919, she earned her Masters in Science degree from MIT, the first female to do so. She took a job at General Electric as a 'computer' and in 1921 filed a patent for for a "graphical calculator" to be used in solving electric power transmission line problems.

In 1926, she was the first woman to present a paper at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. Her research was of critical national importance because at the time of her presentation, transmission lines were getting longer, and with longer lines came greater loads and more chances for problems and system failures. Mathematical models available at the time applied only to small systems and these did not help the problems of the current day with the longer transmission lines. Edith applied a mathematical technique called the "method of symmetrical components" to model a power system and how it behaved. This discovery is what allowed her and other engineers to determine characteristics essential to analyzing large transmission systems, which was important to our growing country.

In 1947, she began teaching at the University of Texas in Austin. Ms. Clarke wrote and published many useful papers pertaining to power distribution and synchronous machines and a comprehensive Electrical Engineering textbook for engineering schools and colleges.

Clarke received two patents related to electrical power transmission. She was gifted with the ability to simplify and reduce the time spent in laborious calculations in solving problems related to the design and operation of electrical power systems.

I would highlight Edith Clarke as an example of a woman who worked in a male dominated environment and her self-confidence is something to admire. It is up to us (as women) to grab that knowledge. Here are some words from Edith herself:

“There is a future for woman in engineering, and someday the only limitation will be their own lack of ability, as we are fast approaching an age in which men and women will be measured by their worth as individuals.”

-Edith Clarke, Texas Engineer

For more information about Edith Clarke's amazing life and contributions: https://magazine.engr.utexas.edu/2023/edith-clarke

Link to Padlet URL: https://padlet.com/vkajones2/module-3-women-in-stem-jrcrkjjdfb71tmlp/wish/LNV1Q7j5v9mDamq3

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Edith Clarke - Engineering and Technology History Wiki

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Joan Clarke, British Cryptanalyst and Numismatist

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Joan Clarke, British Cryptanalyst and Numismatist

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Joan Clarke was a cyptanalyst and numismatist who was recruited by the Government Code and Cypher School in the UK during the Second World War. She was heavily involved in decrypting Nazi Germany's secret communications and was a code breaker on the ENIGMA Project.

This paragraph from the article linked below sums up her immense impact: "Although the remaining secrecy associated with cryptanalysis still makes it impossible to be more specific about her accomplishments, it is clear that her work on the Naval Enigma helped to shorten the war and saved many lives on both sides of the conflict."

I think cryptology is great hook for students of all ages to inspire curiosity and start discussions about computer science. Puzzles, riddles, cryptograms are all things I could easily incorporate into lessons or choice activities for elementary aged students. We could implement a daily riddle challenge to build some background knowledge. It would have low affect and students would be encouraged to share thoughts and ideas with each other. We would learn about these and other pioneers in the process.

Link to padlet URL https://padlet.com/vkajones2/module-3-women-in-stem-jrcrkjjdfb71tmlp/wish/XGyBQbkwK5l9ZL6K

Link to article for more information about Joan Clarke's life and achievements, https://padlet.com/vkajones2/module-3-women-in-stem-jrcrkjjdfb71tmlp/wish/XGyBQbkwK5l9ZL6K

https://www.ams.org/journals/notices/201703/rnoti-p252.pdf

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Found on Google from scientificwomen.net

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IMPACT: Shafi Goldwasser is a renowned computer scientist recognized for her foundational work in cryptography and computational complexity theory. She co-invented the Blum–Goldwasser cryptosystem, a probabilistic encryption scheme that has significantly influenced modern data security protocols. Her pioneering contributions have been acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Turing Award in 2012.

Classroom Integration Connection: Integrating Shafi Goldwasser's achievements into computer science lessons can provide students with a profound understanding of cryptography's evolution and its real-world applications.

One approach is to introduce a module on encryption techniques, highlighting the Blum–Goldwasser cryptosystem. Students can engage in hands-on activities where they implement basic encryption and decryption algorithms, fostering a practical grasp of data security principles. Discussing Goldwasser's role as a trailblazing woman in STEM can also inspire discussions on gender equity, encouraging students to reflect on diversity in technology fields.

LINK: For more information about Shafi Goldwasser's contributions, visit the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing.

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Margaret Heafield Hamilton – Computer Scientist, Systems Engineer

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Margaret Heafield Hamilton – Computer Scientist, Systems Engineer

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IMPACT:

Margaret Hamilton played a crucial role in the development of software engineering as a discipline. As the director of the Software Engineering Division at MIT Instrumentation Laboratory, she led the development of onboard flight software for NASA's Apollo missions, ensuring the success of the moon landing. Her contributions not only helped land astronauts safely on the moon but also set new standards for software reliability, influencing modern software engineering principles.

Classroom Integration Connection:

Margaret Hamilton’s story can be integrated into a computer science lesson on software development and debugging. Students can explore how Hamilton and her team used rigorous coding practices to ensure mission success and compare those techniques to modern software testing methods.

Another activity could be a problem-solving challenge, where students write pseudocode for a critical system (e.g., a self-driving car or a Mars rover) to simulate the importance of precision and debugging in software engineering. This lesson can help promote gender equity by highlighting a pioneering woman’s achievements in a historically male-dominated field and inspire students to pursue STEM careers.

LINK:

NASA - Margaret Hamilton

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Module 5 Activity: I am focusing on a Canadian woman in CS and STEM: Dr. Ethel Gardner. She was a Stó:lō member of the Skwah First Nation in British Columbia and a strong trailblazer for Indigenous language revitalization. She introduced the use of computer-assisted instruction, web-based teaching tools and audiovisual web communication in the classroom to support students and their learning and preserving of indigenous languages. Dr. Gardner developed and implemented these tools to ensure equity across students from diverse backgrounds. She developed an electronic master-apprentice language-learning program that combined human knowledge and computer programming. Furthermore, Dr. Gardner designed teacher education programs to better the future of education and the revitalization of many Indigenous languages. Her use and innovation of technology inspires learners to explore how technology can preserve and revitalize their cultural heritage. https://educ.ubc.ca/indigenouswomeninleadership/ https://www.sfu.ca/aboriginalpeoples/events/sfu-news--aboriginal-editions-/2021-aboriginal-peoples-supplement/in-memoriam-ethel-gardner.html https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/indigenous-languages-victoria-bc-conference-1.5188997

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Module 3 Activity: (I am focusing on Canadian women in STEM for my assignment) WHO and IMPACT: For my second inspiring women in STEM I am focusing on Canadian born, Dr. Maria Margaret Klawe. Her impact on STEM is strong towards advocacy and a focus in increasing female participation in CS. She researched and imposed strategies that boosted female enrollment in CS. She has been the President of the Harvey Mudd College where she influenced change in curriculum that focused on experimental learning and societal values of engineering. She personally reaches out to every applicant to the college. As such has seen a significant rise in female enrollment. She is inspiring to me for her efforts. A female role model we can take note from. If her already noted impact is not enough she also contributed research in human-computer interaction, software dev and computational algorithms. CLASSROOM CONNECTION: In my Computer Science IB classes she will be introduced at the grade 10 level when I introduce the Theory of Computation to students. I will note upon her and embody her strategies to create an even more welcoming environment for female students. A few notable strategies of hers would be a focus on revamping intro courses to be more female friendly and engaging; and also having students take part in researching and celebrating Grade Hopper. Helpful LINKS: https://www.cs.unm.edu/~learningcomputing/readings/13_klawe.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com ; https://graduation.ubc.ca/event/honorary-degrees/2010-honorary-degree-recipients/maria-klawe/ ; https://cscan-infocan.ca/maria-m-klawe/

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Dr. Maria Margaret Klawe | Graduation at UBC

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MADAME CHANCELLOR, Few individuals have done more to encourage and advance women in science and engineering than Dr. Maria Klawe, and we are honoured to call her one of our own. As head of the Department of Computer Science, Vice President, Students and Dean of Science at UBC, Dr. Klawe pioneered strategies to support women […]

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Module 3 Activity: (I am focusing on Canadian women in STEM for my assignment) WHO and IMPACT: The first female I am focusing on is Canada's first female Computer Scientist and earlier trailblazer, Beatrice (Trixie) Worsley. Trixie was an important figure in the advancement and teaching of both algorithmic design and programming languages and as well as a primary figure in the development of the first compiler for the Ferranti "Ferut" Mark 1--Canada's first fully functionally electron computer. During her career authored and published 17 papers about the use of Transcode for very specific solutions and calculations. She taught at the University of Toronto and Queens University and completed research at the University of Waterloo. She was the director of the International Association for Computing Machinery and the Computing and Data Processing Society of Canada. CLASSROOM CONNECTION: In my Computer Science IB classes I will introduce her in the curriculum where we look at past, current and future advancements in CompSci. I get students to research different historical figures for this outcome. Her work will show students the power of females in CompSci and how they impact what we do now. Hopefully inspiring students to pursue careers in CompSci and STEM. Helpful LINKS: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/beatrice-worsley , https://cscan-infocan.ca/beatrice-h-trixie-worsley/ , https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/news/honouring-canadas-first-female-computer-scientist-u-ts-trixie-worsley

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Krysta is a quantum software researcher at Microsoft.  She is working on closing the gap between the quantum and classical world.  She assists the US Department of Energy, is a professor, and is on the board of a nonprofit devoted to mentoring young women interested in tech.

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Who: Joan Elisabeth Lowther Clarke was an English cryptanalyst best known for her work as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park during World War II.

Impact: Clarke played a crucial role in decrypting the German Enigma code, significantly contributing to the Allied war effort by reducing shipping losses caused by German U-boats. She was one of the leading practitioners of Banburismus, a cryptanalytic technique developed by Alan Turing. Despite facing gender-based barriers, she became the deputy head of Hut 8 and was recognized for her expertise. After the war, she continued her work in cryptanalysis.

Classroom Integration Connection: Clarke’s work can be integrated into a classroom through lessons on cryptography and mathematical problem-solving, highlighting her contributions to codebreaking during WWII. Students could engage in cipher-breaking activities using historical encryption methods like the Enigma cipher.

Links: https://scientificwomen.net/women/clarke-joan-158

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Reshma Saujani is the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. Girls Who Code is a nonprofit organization that empowers girls with the ability to code with confidence and bravery. This organization is working to close the gender gap in the technology field.

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Gabriel Onifade A.
CS Educator & Advocate

Brooklyn, NY (& CSTA Nigeria)

Contributing to reducing the Digital Divide #CSforALL (commitment member)

Gabriel is a K9-12 CS Educator and a CS Advocate based in New York, with focus on the Underrepresented and the underserved communities.

Gabriel (mrGab) is an Innovative technologist, educator and an AI expert passionate about equity in CS education, data-driven solutions and empowering future leaders.

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CS Women in CS Poster- Gabriel Onifade A. (GABONIA)

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WHO: Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) was an African-American mathematician whose groundbreaking calculations were critical to NASA’s success in space exploration.

IMPACT: Johnson's trajectory analysis on orbital mechanics ensured the crucial success of space missions, such as John Glenn’s orbit of Earth and the Apollo 11 moon landing.
She shattered racial and gender barriers, becoming an inspiring role model for inclusivity in STEM. Her work opened doors for women and African-Americans in STEM, proving that diversity is essential to scientific progress.

Classroom Integration Connection:
Activity 1: Use basic physics and coding tools like Scratch or Python, by recreating simple trajectory to simulate the trajectory of a spacecraft. Students can apply concepts like velocity and gravity to understand orbital mechanics.
Activity 2: Highlight Johnson’s determination by hosting a class debate or discussion on overcoming barriers in STEM, encouraging students to reflect on diversity and inclusion.
They can also analyze Johnson’s life to understand the impact of determination and inclusivity in achieving groundbreaking advancements in STEM.
Activity 3: Watch excerpts from Hidden Figures, followed by group projects analyzing how STEM pioneers like Johnson shaped history and space exploration.

LINK:
Katherine Johnson - NASA

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WHO: Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace (1815–1852), was a mathematician and writer, often regarded as the first computer programmer.

IMPACT: Ada Lovelace collaborated with Charles Babbage on the Analytical Engine and wrote the first algorithm designed for a machine. She envisioned computers performing tasks beyond numerical calculations, laying the foundation for modern computing.

Classroom Integration Connection:
Activity 1: Introduce students to algorithms by having them write step-by-step instructions (an algorithm) for a simple task, such as making a sandwich or solving a math problem.
Activity 2: Compare Babbage’s Analytical Engine to today’s computers, exploring how Lovelace’s ideas have shaped technology.
Activity 3: Engage students in a discussion about envisioning future technologies, drawing parallels to Lovelace’s vision of computers performing creative tasks like composing music.

LINK:
Ada Lovelace - Biography

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Dr. Alicia Nicki Washington with Gabriel Onifade A at the 2024 CSTA Conference in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

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WHO: Dr. Alicia Nicki Washington is a trailblazing computer scientist, an educator and a professor at Duke University, known for her work in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM education and the computing profession.

IMPACT: Dr. Washington is the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Computer Science from North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on embedding cultural competence in computing education and improving the representation of underrepresented groups in tech fields. Her advocacy has influenced policies and curricula, encouraging systemic change in academia and industry.

Classroom Integration Connection:
Activity 1: Host a class discussion on bias in artificial intelligence, using examples of Dr. Washington’s work to highlight the importance of diverse perspectives in tech.
Teachers can incorporate Dr. Washington's story into lessons on ethics in AI or the importance of diversity in technology

Activity 2: Create a project-based lesson where students propose solutions to increase representation in STEM fields, drawing inspiration from Dr. Washington’s initiatives.
Activities could include discussions about bias in algorithms or group projects that explore ways to increase representation in STEM fields.

Activity 3: Assign students to research cultural competence and present examples of how it improves collaboration and innovation in computer science.

LINK:
Dr. Alicia Nicki Washington - Wikipedia

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Brenda Laurel worked at Atari for several years and led the way for research in virtual reality.

Resource: https://www.atariwomen.org/stories/brenda-laurel/

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Carol Shaw worked for Atari and developed the best selling video game called River Raid. You can watch her acceptance speech for at The Game Awards here where she received the Industry Icon Award.

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Carol Shaw: The Game Awards Industry Icon (Extended)

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Dr. Gladys West, an African-American woman, is sitting down in a chair and is wearing a black hat, a colorful scarf, and a navy blazer.

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WHO: Dr. Gladys West

IMPACT: Her contributions to geodetics, especially programming the IBM 7030 computer and GEOSAT, allowed scientists to accurately calculate the Earth's shape. Without her efforts, we would have not been able to develop the GPS that is used in almost any technology nowadays!

Classroom Integration Connection: Discussion of her work would be perfect for Earth Science/Earth and Space Science classes at the beginning of the unit that discusses the shapes of the Earth. Relate to how important it is to accurately measure the size and shape of the Earth because it will impact EVERYONE. After all, GPS won't work as accurately without knowing the accurate measurements of the Earth!

LINK:

Resources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gladys-West

https://ncwit.org/profile/gladys-west/

https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3700859/navy-scientist-helped-develop-gps/

Related lesson: https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-earth-science-flexbook-2.0/section/3.2/primary/lesson/earths-shape-ms-es/

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Who: Megan Smith

Impact: Megan Smith is a leader in the technology field as an engineer, entrepreneur, and tech evangelist. She is a graduate of MIT, and has impacted the field of technology through her work at Google and as the first female CTO of the United States under President Obama. While serving the US, she initiated the Computer Science for All initiative and worked on pressing issues such as economic growth, AI, and social justice. She is an advocate for underserved populations. She served as CEO of Planet Out, a entertainment company focused on LGBTQ+ issues, and she co-founded the Malala Fund, an organization dedicated to impacting girls education and empowerment around the world. She also gives back to her alma mater by serving on the board at MIT.

Classroom Integrations:

1. Megan Smith works to make technology have a positive impact on society. Have students research ways technology is improving lives. Have them share infographics or posters showcasing positive tech. Give students a current problem in their community or at school and have them brainstorm ways technology could be used to improve it.

2. Makerspace challenge: As a connection to Megan Smith's roots as an engineer working at MIT's Media Lab, give students access to many materials and share a problem you would like them to build a prototype to solve. Have a prototype fair where students can see and hear from each other and learn from their creativity.

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Who: Margaret Hamilton

Impact: Margaret Hamilton is most commonly known for her role in the success of the Apollo missions. She loved math as a student and graduated from Earlham college in 1958 with a degree in mathematics. She took a job at MIT to help support her family as her husband was completing a law degree. While working at MIT, she taught herself programming. She took her programming skills to NASA and helped create a program that made landing on the moon possible. She is credited with coming up with the job title of "software engineer." Her work with the space program earned her the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Classroom Integrations:

1.Share Margaret Hamilton’s story through a picture book or kid-friendly biography like "Margaret and the Moon" by Dean Robbins.

Role-Playing: Divide students into teams and assign them roles and space exploration scenarios with problems for them to come up with creative solutions.

2. Hands-On Coding Activities

Introduction to Coding Logic: Use block-based coding platforms like Scratch or Tynker to introduce basic coding. CS First also offers easy video based lessons to walk students through coding projects.

Debugging Challenge: Set up simple coding errors for students to identify and fix. This will help show the importance of checking work especially work that could result in life or death outcomes like space travel.

Links Used: https://www.computerscience.org/resources/most-influential-women-computer-science/

https://science.nasa.gov/people/margaret-hamilton/

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Cristina Lopes: Innovator in Computer Science

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Field of Focus:

Cristina Lopes, also known as "Crista," specializes in software engineering, programming languages, and virtual worlds.

Key Contributions:

One of the key contributors to the development of Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP), which improves modularity in coding.

Creator of OpenSimulator, an open-source platform for creating virtual 3D environments, widely used in education and simulation.

Published numerous influential papers in computer science and holds patents in programming languages and systems.

Impact on Computing:

Cristina Lopes' work has revolutionized how programmers think about modularity and reusability in software. OpenSimulator has empowered educators and developers to create immersive virtual spaces, fostering innovation in how technology is used in various industries.

sources https://ics.uci.edu/people/cristina-lopes/ https://ics.uci.edu/~lopes/

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2. IMPACT: Eileen Vélez-Vega is the first engineer in her family, and her journey in aviation engineering has helped shape the infrastructure of airports in Puerto Rico. She specializes in airport runway and taxiway projects and has become a role model for many, showing that perseverance and dedication can lead to major achievements.

IMAGE: A picture of Eileen Vélez-Vega and her family.

Classroom Integration Connection: Eileen's story is an ideal way to inspire bilingual students to pursue STEM fields despite facing obstacles. Her story can encourage students to see their cultural heritage as a strength that enhances their ability to communicate and pursue careers in global fields like engineering.

LINK: Eileen Vélez-Vega biography https://alltogether.swe.org/2019/09/day-in-the-life-of-civil-engineer-eileen-vega/

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From Engineering to Public Office - Society of Women Engineers

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For Alice Orrell, P.E., a mechanical engineer and SWE member from the Eastern Washington Section, the truism “Once an engineer, always an engineer” is borne

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1. Dr. Ellen Ochoa (USA)

IMPACT: Dr. Ochoa was the first Latina astronaut to go to space. She has been a role model for Latinas in science and technology, and her work in space exploration has opened doors for future generations of scientists and engineers.

IMAGE: A picture of Dr. Ellen Ochoa in her astronaut suit.

Classroom Integration Connection: Dr. Ochoa's story is particularly relevant for encouraging bilingual students to pursue careers in STEM fields like space science and technology. Her legacy can be used to inspire students to aim high and see how their language and culture can be assets in global science initiatives.

LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Ochoa

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A picture of Dr. Ellen Ochoa in her astronaut suit.

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Industry: Game Development

Workplace: Bonfire Studios

Impacts on Computing: Rachelle was on the team developing Hearthstone at Blizzard. She has been a public advocate for women in CS.

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S.T.E.A.M. Champs founder Niesha Butler received a very exciting letter from the Atlantic 10 Conference Commissioner, Bernadette V. McGlade. The Atlantic 10, a conference that supports student-athletes in the classroom as well as on the court, wanted to celebrate the kids in Brooklyn who have an interest in learning S.T.E.A.M. and pursuing tech careers.  They invited our founder, Niesha Butler, a former ALL-American at Georgia Tech and the S.T.E.A.M. Champions to attend A-10 Men’s Basketball Championship game and be recognized at center court at the the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

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Dr. Espy-Wilson's research is in speech communication. She combines knowledge of digital signal processing, speech science, linguistics, acoustic phonetics and machine learning to conduct interdisciplinary research in speech and speaker recognition, speech production, speech enhancement and single-channel speech segregation.  She also analyzes speech as a behavioral signal for emotion recognition, sentiment analysis and the detection and monitoring of mental health.

https://ece.umd.edu/clark/faculty/391/Carol-Espy-Wilson

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Anita Borg Systers, the first online community for women in computing. This platform became a vital resource for professional support, mentorship, and collaboration. Borg co-founded the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, now the world's largest gathering of women technologist.

I would use this information in my class during women's history month.

https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/education-products/publications/headline-discoveries/2012/issue-03/anita-borg-blazed-trail.html

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Industry: Game Development/Design

Work Place: Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming Division

Impacts on Society: Instrumental design on significant games including: Portal, Left 4 Dead, Half-Life 2, and Star Wars  BattleFront II.

All About Kim Swift

Kim Swift is an American video game designer. She is probably most renowned for her contributions to the software developer Valve and her work on such games as Portal and Left 4 Dead.

She was also featured by Fortune as one of "30 Under 30" influential figures in the video game industry.  She is often touted as one of the most recognized women in the game development industry.

Contributions to CS

Not only was she instrumental in the development of some of the most popular titles in gaming history from the first two decades of the 2000’s, she continues to create new avenues in game development.

Most recently, she was hired by Microsoft to lead the cloud gaming of the newest Xbox console series to reduce assets needed locally for complex multiplayer gaming.

Brief Description on how you will use this artifact in a lesson you already teach in your classroom

During my Unity Game programming class I will high light a developer/designer each week.  I will infuse more role models and relevant programmers to games and apps that students use currently.

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Dr. Shafi Goldwasser in her ACM Turing Award Interview

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Dr. Goldwasser is a mathematician and theoretical computer scientist. She is co-inventor of both probabilistic encryption and zero-knowledge proofs.

She has won numerous awards, including the Turing Award, a Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science and two Godel Prizes in theoretical computer science. She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition, she isa fellow of both the Association for Computing Machinery and the International Association for Cryptologic Research.

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I highly recommend reading the book, Proving Ground. This story chronicles the ENIAC 4 (later 6) who helped the army as human computers at first and then manually programmed the first electronic computer. They were not given credit at first which would make this a remarkable story to talk about in a high school class.

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Anita Borg is a computer scientist and an advocate for women. She created an online community specifically for women in the workplace. She has not stopped with advocating for women including co-founding the Grace Hopper Celebration.

Source: https://www.create-learn.us/blog/famous-women-in-computer-science/

I think Anita Borg would be an interesting person to bring up in Girls Who Code. There is a balance between competing with each other versus lifting each other up. Women often struggle with this concept because it is such a battle to be recognized. This would be a great topic to discuss with girls at an early age.

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Carol Shaw was a female pioneer at Atari. She designed 3D tic tac toe and River Raid. With River Raid, she pushed the limits of the Atari 2600.

Source: https://www.create-learn.us/blog/famous-women-in-computer-science/

Carol Shaw will be a great addition to my 7th grade curriculum as we start with game design using Bloxels. I think I could bring in previous video games and talk about the limitations of previous gaming consoles and how they have changed over the year.

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Impact: She is best known for her work with cryptosystems and helping to create a standard for security data encryptions today.  She was also a former mathematician who continued her education as a computer scientist, a pathway I too followed.

Classroom Connection: Internet safety and security are paramount instructional lessons in my Introduction to Computer Science, Python Programming, Unity Game Programming, and AP Computer Science Principles courses.  All of these courses include discussion and curriculum elements sharing the importance of security and cyber security.  As she is one of the leaders in encryptions for personal data protection, this would be an excellent connection that I could institute in all of my computer science courses.

Link: https://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/goldwasser_8627889.cfm

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Impact: She was an instrumental video game designer best known for her work at Atari and notable games such as 3D Tic-Tac-Toe as well as an all time favorite, River Raid!

Classroom Connection: I teach Unity Game Programming and this would be a great activator lesson as we always discuss the history of gaming, game consoles, etc.  Sharing Carol’s contributions to Atari and the revolution of home gaming and consoles would be a fantastic way to integrate her name into my discussions.

Link: https://www.atariwomen.org/stories/carol-shaw/

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Who: Emily Grantham

CS FOCUS:

Ms. Grantham is a middle school computer science teacher. Her focus includes: robots, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, physical computing and coding.

IMPACTS:

Ms. Grantham introduces hundreds of students to new technology every year in her classroom and after school program, and tries to spark a sense of curiosity and exploration.

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Impact: I believe Grace Hopper’s greatest contribution was that she created a compiler so that more people could program a computer.

Classroom Connection: We learn about Grace Hopper when we talk about coding languages, binary code, and debugging.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Hopper

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Impact:

Katherine was a human computer, and she was such a brilliant mathematician that they used her to test the accuracy of the new, digital computers that were being introduced.

Classroom Connection:

When we learn about the history of computers, I always point out the number of women pictured. When we discuss INPUT, I show them a punch card and we watch the preview of Hidden Figures. I also have a copy of the book in the front of my room.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Johnson

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WHO: Lisa Fuchs

IMPACT: Mrs. Fuchs has independently studied CS and DT so she can make a positive impact on her students. Beginning with kindergarteners, Mrs. Fuchs has always encouraged everyone to make mistakes and take risks, knowing that is the best route for learning. Through STEM-based lessons, she has been able to allow students to take the lead in their learning, supporting and guiding them along the way. Many students throughout her career have told her what an impact she has had on their lives over the years.

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WHO: Klára Dán von Neumann

IMPACT: Dán was of the first computer programmers, working first on the MANIAC 1 computer at Los Alamos. This was work that had never been done before. Doing this led her to ask for the machine to be redesigned, which led to ENIAC.  BIGGEST IMPACT: “She produced the first software coded in the modern paradigm.” (See second link below.) This was done without having any sample code to look at…because none existed. She had to make it up as she went along.  From the third link below: “Every computer program running today is descended from the code Klára Dán penned more than seventy years ago.”NOTE: She is also largely responsible for the first weather forecast done by computer. She also developed the first software simulation of the Monte Carlo method, which is still used today for predictions and forecasting in a variety of fields.

IMAGE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Photograph_of_Klara_Dan_von_Neumann.png and https://engelsbergideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/klara-dan.jpeg

Classroom Integration Connection: I think I’d ask students how they’d program a computer without ever being taught one line of code.  Without any lines of code ever having existed.  Without a language existing to write it in.  Would they even conceive of the idea? Come to think of it, this may be fantastic for the first day of class.  Putting this together with Ada Lovelace should make everyone very impressed…and impress upon the girls that men are NOT the only ones that can do comp sci.

LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kl%C3%A1ra_D%C3%A1n_von_Neumann and https://discover.lanl.gov/news/0323-von-neumanns-letters/  and https://engelsbergideas.com/portraits/klara-dan-esoteric-intellect-who-wrote-the-first-modern-computer-code/

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WHO: Rediet Abebe

IMPACT: Dr. Abebe’s work in algorithms and AI “includes algorithmic frameworks for examining issues in underserved populations.” She is a co-founder of Mechanism Design for Social Good (MD4SG), a multidisciplinary attempt to “improve societal welfare” (see second link). Her work also includes the role(s) of computing in dealing with societal issues:  diagnostic, clarifying/analyzing language in policy, explaining limits of interventions, and bringing attention to the problem. She’s also worked in bringing attention to misrepresentation and underrepresentation in data sets. Finally, she’s one of the cofounders of Black in AI, which deals with a “lack of diversity in AI”. (See first link).

IMAGE: https://datainnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/red2-1.jpg

Classroom Integration Connection: In Mobile CSP (one of the curricula for AP CSP), one or two lessons deal with the fact that facial recognition software was not trained on a large enough variety of faces and has many problems as a result.  I think I’d mainly like to talk about Dr. Abebe’s work here, as the lesson we see talks about how the facial recognition software is best at white male faces and not so good at darker and female faces. This brings on a discussion of how important it is to include a large variety of people on a team developing new products, including genders and races, as well as a variety of economic backgrounds. I'd also like to try a post-AP lesson on computing and social issues and incorporate her work there.

LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rediet_Abebe, https://datainnovation.org/2020/10/5-qs-for-rediet-abebe-co-founder-of-mechanism-design-for-social-good/

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·      Lovelace is often referred to as the first computer programmer

·      She was an English mathematician and writer who lived in the 19th century. In 1843, she translated an article on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer. She added notes that is now recognized as the first computer program

·      She is often referred to as the, first programmer, because of her innovative work

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In Algorithms of Oppression, Dr. Safiya Umoja Noble sugguests that search engines do not offer an equal playing field for all forms of ideas. Data discrimination is indeed a social problem. She states that certain search engines have a monopoly status of search searches, which leads to discrimination.

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Set to be the 7th African-American woman into space! CEO and Founder of multiple tech companies.

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What She Did: Aisha is a former NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. She is a soon-to-be astronaut, working with Elon Musk. She is the founder and CEO of STEMBoard, one of the fastest growing tech companies in the USA.

Impacts: She has raised $1M in Venture Capital. Is the founder & CEO of two award-winning companies. Global Thought Leader in innovation, STEM education, and tech startup mentorship. (40% of successful women in STEM have a mentor.) She is a keynote speaker and philanthropist on self-empowerment, and leadership.

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Stephanie Castillo, co-founder of Latina Girls Code, present a young Hispanic girl her first computer.

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Impact: Founded the non-profit "Latina girls code," which aims to give educational resources to girls 7-17 who are interested in technology. Latina girls code (LGC) runs workshops, hackathons, and weeks-long programs on technology languages and entrepreneurial skills. When she is not running LGC, she is an immigration advisor, helping latinx people navitage educational and career opportunities that they otherwise may struggle to find.

Classroom Integration: Level 2 Robotics - step into Ms. Castillo's shoes and design a workshop for elementary and middle school girls here in Terrell TX using only the supplies here in the lab/classroom. (Careers- Advertising/Event Management/Entrepreneurship/Education/Technology, TEK: Understands bias and the importance of diversity.)

Links Used:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latina-girls-code-trains-empowers-young-women-tech-careers-n651821

https://raisingsmartgirls.com/latina-women-in-stem/

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Jazlyn Carvajal was the first in her family to graduate from college, graduating from MIT in 2003.

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Impact: She is the "president emeritus of MIT’s Club of Northern New Jersey, executive director of New Jersey’s Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and cofounder of the nonprofit Latinas in STEM." She is also the co-founder of SOYD, a business consulting firm that she starting in 2014. With her nonprofit, she works to get young latina girls from K-12 interested in STEM pathways/classes and future careers.

Classroom Integration: Level 1 Robotics - Step into her shoes. Explore the barriers and reasons why more girls are not interested in our robotics class, have our girls speak up on this. Have students create a poster advertising the robotics class to girls at the local middle school. (Careers- Advertising/Education/Event Management, TEK: Understands bias and the importance of diversity.)

Links Used: https://alum.mit.edu/slice/gaining-confidence-inspire

https://raisingsmartgirls.com/latina-women-in-stem/

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All About … Annie Easley

Annie Easley was born to Bud and Willie McCrory in Birmingham, Alabama in 1933. Here are some facts about Annie Easley you might not know:

1. Easley worked at NASA before it was NASA. When she started her career there in 1955, it was called National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA.

2. She started out studying pharmacy at Xavier University in New Orleans, but left college to get married and move to Cleveland. She read an article in a Cleveland newspaper about twin sisters who worked as “human computers” at NACA that she found interesting.

3. She began working at NASA as a ‘human computer’, then moved into mathematics and computer technician. Her 34-year career included developing and implementing computer code that analyzed alternative power technologies, supported the Centaur high-energy upper rocket stage, determined solar, wind and energy projects, and identified energy conversion systems and alternative systems to solve energy problems.

Contributions to CS

Ms. Easley would contribute to numerous programs as a computer scientist, inspire many through her enthusiastic participation in outreach programs, break down barriers for women and people of color in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and win the admiration and respect of her coworkers.

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IMPACT: Dr. Mary Lou Jepsen is one of the world’s foremost engineers and scientists in optics, imaging, and display-inventing on the edge of what physics allows, aiming to do what seems impossible, and leading teams to achieve these incredible feats. She has more than 200 patents published or issued. Jepsen is the founder and CEO of Openwater, which aims to use new optics to see inside our bodies. Previously a top technical exec at Google, Facebook, Oculus, and Intel, her startups include One Laptop Per Child, where she was CTO and chief architect on the $100 laptop. She studied at Brown, MIT, and Rhode Island School of Design, and she was a professor at both MITs -- the one in Cambridge, Mass., and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Tech in Australia.

CLASSROOM CONNECTION: Having direct interactions with many of her discoveries and inventions, students will be able to have direct knowledge of her accomplishments and be able to put a face with the cutting-edge technology she has created. Without revealing who the inventor is, student can break up into groups and delve deeper into her creations. We can then discover all of these are attibuted to one woman.

LINK: https://kids.kiddle.co/Mary_Lou_Jepsen

https://www.maryloujepsen.com/projects

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Stephanie Shirley with the "computer" ERNIE at the Post Office Research Station

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As a child refugee sent to England during the early part of WWII at 5 years old, Stephanie Shirley, then known as Vera Buchthal, and had many obstacles to overcome. This adversity would give her the determination to succeed at whatever she set her mind to. This became apparent during her education at Oswestry Girls’ High School where she wanted to study advanced mathematics but being a "girls" school this was not an option. Arrangements had to be made for her to attend the local boys school to advance her talents.

Even as women were showing their aptitude for science, math and problem solving, they were being looked over for positions in the field. It was okay for them to be human computers which were essentially calculators, but working hands on in the field was not open to them.

"Shirley’s first job was as a researcher at Dollis Hill, the Post Office Research Station, the only woman in the team working to develop ERNIE, a computer designed to generate unique Premium Bond numbers. The Post Office was at the forefront of the emerging computer industry." Later in her career, "vast numbers of women were actively pushed out of the profession (sometimes even after having being expected to train up the men who had been hired to replace them)."

So in 1959 she created her own computer software company called Freelance Programmers and hired almost excursively women. Her company became hugely successful and she was given many honors such as OBE in 1980 and President of the British Computer Society in 1989.

Classroom Integration:

My students will be responsible for choosing a women or a person of color in STEM and creating a baseball style card of their information. Each student must create 3 cards and no two students can pick the same people.

https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/stories/stephanie-steve-shirley

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Physicist Leona Woods Marshall Libby was one of the women who helped to create the atomic weapon. Her PhD in chemistry from the University of Chicago gave her the opportunity to work with Enrico Fermi on the Manhattan Project during WWII.

Leona invented a a boron trifluoride counter, which detected neutron activity. Her detector was essential to the nuclear tests. She was the only woman present at the December 2, 1942 nuclear test and her counter was used to take measurements of the level of neutron activity.

Classroom Integration:

My students will be responsible for choosing a women or person of color in STEM and creating a baseball style card of their information. Each student must create 3 cards and no two students can pick any of the same people. Our school is roughly 30 minutes from the University of Chicago, so being able to pick a person who is semi-local where they can see the location of their experiment would be impactful.

https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/profile/leona-marshall-libby/

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IMPACT: Ada Lovelace is considered to be the founder of scientific computing and the first computer programmer. Her algorithm — which history has come to know as the first one designed for a machine to carry out — was intended to be used for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, which Lovelace would sadly not see built during her lifetime. Lovelace passed away in 1852, but her previously little-known work and "poetical" approach to science has broken through to inspire present-day young women interested in computer programming.

CLASSROOM CONNECTION: As an introductory lesson before beginning our coding unit, I can introduce students to Ms. Lovelace so they can have an understanding of the history behind the algorithms they will be creating. We would use small groups to discuss her achievements and to compare information. We would do this by using Figma so we can share with others. We will also use this information as a touchstone throughout the coding we will be doing throughout the unit.

LINK: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ada-lovelace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYLlsJdHvKg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVg0oaH4Ocs

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Zaira Cruz is an inspiring women in the world of Computer Science. She works full time as a telecommunications specialist and AI generator for General Motors. However, her crowning achievement is that she is the founder of LatinXCoders, an organization the helps Latin children and parents understand the positive impact CS skills can have on the future success of their children.

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Impact: Karen Spärck Jones studied history, philosophy, and worked as a teacher before pivoting into computer science. She proceeded to work in the Cambridge Language Research Unit where she published nine books and numerous papers.

Spärck Jones is best known for her works in combining linguistics and statistics while also advocating for women in her field. She developed the inverse documentary frequency which is a critical factor in creating modern-day search engines. The University of Huddersfield’s School of Computing and Engineering buildings was renamed in her honor.

Classroom Connection: Women in MIT and advocating for Computer Science and Computer Scientists

Link: https://www.create-learn.us/blog/famous-women-in-computer-science/

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Impact: Elizabeth Feinler also studied a different subject before moving into the tech field. She worked on her Ph.D. in biochemistry at Purdue University before moving into data compilations. She joined the Augmentation Research Center and ran the Network Information Center for two years.

Feinler and her colleagues developed the internal URL system that we use today which includes domain texts such as .com, .edu, .org, etc. She went on to work for NASA by managing the NASA Science Internet NIC. She’s received the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award in 2013 for her contribution to the early stages of the internet’s development.

Classroom Connection: I have several students who 1. Love Purdue and 2. Adore NASA. Being able to show case women who are active with both will help expand upon the idea of what a "computer scientist" or "information technology" person looks like. Additionally, showcasing how the things that Elizabeth Feinler worked on is still being used today can help showcase their possible impact.

Link:  https://www.internethalloffame.org/official-biography-elizabeth-feinler Opens in a new tab

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Impact: Carol Shaw is one of the first female game designers and programmers in the video game industry. When working at Atari, Shaw was regarded as one of the best programmers where she designed games such as 3-D Tic Tac Toe.

Shaw’s best known for her work on River Raid for the Atari 2600. The game’s complex design was a tricky hurdle for the Atari 2600 to handle. Shaw’s masterful game design skills allowed her to create a masterpiece for the game. She was able to pave the way for future women in gaming.

Classroom Connection: So many of my students are fascinated and interested in video game design and being able to showcase Carol Shaw means showing the girls of my class that it is NOT just men who can do this. It feels very similar to Mary Shelley being the mother of science fiction.

Link: https://www.create-learn.us/blog/famous-women-in-computer-science/

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Impact: During the 1970s scientists and programmers were working hard on assembling the networks and technology to enable what we now know as the Internet. Engineer and mathematician Radia Perlman was one of very few women involved in process at that time. Her invention of the algorithm behind the Spanning Tree Protocol solved a challenging information routing problem and earned her the moniker “Mother of the Internet.”

Classroom Connection: I would set up a project asking my students to research her life and contribution to computer science and Internet.

Reference:

https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/radia-perlman

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Radia Perlman poster and his contributions to networking

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Impact: Ms. Clarke was the first woman to earn a degree in electrical engineering from MIT, and the first professionally employed female electrical engineer in the United States, and the first woman to be accepted as a full voting member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE, which became IEEE in 1963). She became a Fellow of AIEE in 1948, the first woman to be so honored.

Classroom Connection: I can integrate Ms. Clarke's legacy into my computer science class by highlighting her pioneering achievements during lessons on women in STEM. I could start a Role Model Discussion on her contributions to electrical engineering and how her work paved the way for women in technical fields. I could present her invention, the Clarke Calculator, as an example of problem-solving and innovation.

Reference:

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/educ/exhibits/womenshallfame/html/clarke.html

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Impact: Hamilton was the first programmer hired for the Apollo project at MIT and the first female programmer in the project. She was responsible for the team writing and testing all on board in flight software for the Apollo spacecraft's Command and Lunar Module and for the subsequent Skylab Space Station. She worked to gain hands-on experience during a time when computer science courses were uncommon and software engineering courses did not exist.

Classroom Connection: I would like my students to explore her life and experience, and to appreciate her contribution to Apollo project and computer science as the first woman to do so, and to inspire female students in computer science study.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hamilton_(software_engineer)

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She created the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) which is fundamental in network operations and still in use today. She has the nickname "Mother of the Internet" and has made many other contributions that govern how the internet works.

Classroom Integration:

I briefly cover how STP works in CSP and IT and add the tidbit that it was invented by a woman.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radia_Perlman

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Who: Elizabeth Feinler

Impact: She was part of the group that help develop domain names (.mil, .gov, .edu, .org, and .com). She also worked as a network requirements manager and develop guidelines for managing the NASA Science Internet.

Classroom Connection: I would have students attempt to make a new classification system for domain names. Having them list the pros and cons of their categories compared to the current system would be a great way to reflect on what makes a classification system strong or weak.

Link: https://www.ithistory.org/honor-roll/ms-elizabeth-jake-jocelyn-feinler

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She was the director of the MIT lab that was responsible for the on-board flight software for the Apollo program. She also coined the term "software engineering" to distinguish from hardware engineering.

Classroom Connection:

Showing that a woman was the first programmer hired at MIT to work on the Apollo moon program can help inspire female students.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hamilton_(software_engineer)

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Computer Scientist - MIT

In recent years, a striking photo of Hamilton and her team's Apollo code has made the rounds on social media and in articles detailing her key contributions to Apollo 11's success. According to Hamilton, this now-iconic image (at left, above) was taken at MIT in 1969 by a staff photographer for the Instrumentation Laboratory - later named the Draper Laboratory and today an independent organization - for use in promotion of the lab's work on the Apollo project. The original caption, she says, reads:

"Here, Margaret is shown standing beside listings of the software developed by her and the team she was in charge of, the LM [lunar module] and CM [command module] on-board flight software team."

"From my own perspective, the software experience itself (designing it, developing it, evolving it, watching it perform and learning from it for future systems) was at least as exciting as the events surrounding the mission. ... There was no second chance. We knew that. We took our work seriously, many of us beginning this journey while still in our 20s. Coming up with solutions and new ideas was an adventure. Dedication and commitment were a given. Mutual respect was across the board. Because software was a mystery, a black box, upper management gave us total freedom and trust. We had to find a way and we did. Looking back, we were the luckiest people in the world; there was no choice but to be pioneers."

In 2009, Margaret Hamilton and fellow MIT software engineers described what is was like to contribute to the Apollo missions 40 years after the famous Apollo 11 landing in the Moon's Sea of Tranquility in July 1969.

Planetary science is a global profession.

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Who: Fei-Fei Li

Impact: She has published over 300 peer-reviewed research on AI, machine learning, computer vision, cognitive neuroscience, and computational neuroscience. She also warned against the dangers of the use of AI in military. She was quoted "I believe in human-centered AI to benefit people in positive and benevolent ways. It is deeply against my principles to work on any project that I think is to weaponize AI."

Classroom Connection: The question of ethics in regards to computer science is deeply interesting and consequential to our society. While the idea of military abuse of computer science is more popular, there are other ways that computer science can be used unethically. This discussion could lead to a more responsible programmers and help students learn about ethics.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fei-Fei_Li

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Carol Shaw was on of the first female game designers. In 1978 Shaw worked on 3D Tic Tac Toe, which was published shortly after she was hired at Atari as a game programmer. Her first game was River Raid (1982), which tested the limits of the Atari 2600. Due to her excellent coding and game design skills the game was a major hit and earned Shaw a lot of money. Her endeavors paved the way for other women to find success in video game design.

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The ENIAC Programmers were six women who were tasked with creating the world's first all electric computer, capable of being programmed. These women were Kathleen McNulty Mauchly Antonelli, Jean Jennings Bartik, Frances Snyder Holberton, Marlyn Wescoff Meltzer, Frances Bilas Spence, and Ruth Lichterman Teitelbaum. The ENIAC was a system for launching ballistic missiles almost instantly.

No coding languages existed at the time, so they had to write and calculate everything necessary from scratch. They used complex trajectory calculations and logical diagrams to help launch accurate missiles within seconds. These women got little to know recognition for their contributions to computing due to their gender. Now, they are celebrated as heroes from World War II.

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Impact: American mathematician and human computer who worked for NASA. She was instrumental in bringing knowledge of Fortran programming language to NASA's first programming department of the Analysis and Computation Division at Langley.

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Impact: Katherine calculated trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return paths for spaceflights. Her calculations were essential to the beginning of the space program. She is know as a human computer.