CS in art: Generative AI
Creativity, Innovation, and the Ethical Gray Areas
New survey data on student perceptions of computer science (CS) highlight the importance of personal connection in shaping interest and enrollment decisions. When students see how CS aligns with their interests or feel a sense of belonging in the classroom, they are more likely to consider it an important subject and pursue coursework in the field.
These findings present an opportunity for policymakers and school leaders to reframe the approach to closing the gender gap in CS education. Rather than focusing on broad systemic trends, this data provides a more nuanced understanding of what drives engagement, reinforcing the importance of making CS feel relevant and inclusive to all students.
Computer science is foundational for many careers because it's used in nearly every industry and aspect of modern life – from manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and retail, to more creative sectors like fashion, beauty, food, and music. As AI continues to reshape industries, the need for diverse perspectives in computer science is more critical than ever. Yet, why do we rarely help young women see the myriad ways computer science is already embedded in their daily lives and how it can be used to make the things they’re innately interested in even better?
Importance of Computer Science:
Computer science is viewed as important by nearly 3-in-4 students, and that importance is on the rise, with roughly two-thirds indicating that it will become more important in the coming years. It is within the top 4 subjects overall for importance and favorite subject. But regardless of age, girls are less likely to say it is important or a favorite, and middle school girls are less likely than middle school boys to think it will become much more important.
Students who have taken computer science course(s) are much more likely to say it is important (83% vs. 54%), rating it similarly to career and technical education and math. Students who have taken a course (71%) are also more likely to say computer science will become more important. Students who’ve taken more than one course are even more likely (79%) than those who’ve taken just one (66%).
Black (84%) and Hispanic (78%) students think computer science is more important than white students (70%), with Hispanic boys (84%) more likely than girls (71%) to indicate this. There is less of a divide between genders among Black students. Additionally, Black students (78%) are more likely to say computer science will be more important than Hispanic (61%) or white (66%) students.
When looking at factors that lead students to consider computer science an important subject, feeling personally connected to it was the biggest driver, accounting for 60% of the importance attributed to CS The top driver for middle school girls was “being related to other things interested in,” closely followed by “being for someone like me” and “making me think.” For high school girls, the top item was “is for someone like me.”
Personal connection was less of a driver for Black students overall (48%) compared to white students (57%) and Hispanic students (60%). But for Black girls, having a personal connection was much more important than for Black boys (60%, vs. 34%).
Black students were most likely to say computer science “is for someone like me” (29% of Black students compared to 19% of Hispanic students and 20% of white students).