Two schools garner Science Female Diversity Awards for STEM studies
Two schools within the Archdiocese of Newark have been awarded the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award based on their achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science.
Schools receiving the award have achieved either 50% or higher female exam taker representation in one of or both AP computer science courses, or a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population. Just 1,105 schools nationwide have been recognized with the prestigious award.
The two all-girls academies to receive the recognition are the Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest and Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township. They both received the AP Computer Science A Award, which was awarded to 209 schools out of the total 1,105 that were recognized this year.
The award relates to the total percentage of female students who participated in examinations for the AP Computer Science A course, an introductory college-level computer science class. According to the College Board website, in this course “students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures.”
“We’re thrilled to congratulate our female AP computer science students and their teachers on this step forward in computer science education,” said Bro. Christopher D. Hall, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools. “Catholic education uniquely enables students to step outside of the comfort zones and explore new and rigorous topics while surrounded by a supportive community of teachers, staff, and families. We’re honored that our schools have earned this distinction and we look forward to seeing these young women and others pursue and achieve success in computer science education and careers.”
“I am extremely proud of this award,” AHA Upper School Principal Jean Miller said “Increasingly, all career paths will intersect with technology in one form or another. I am happy that Holy Angels, once again, is being recognized for its innovative and advanced STEM courses and that our students continue to graduate with not only advanced ability but also with notable confidence in an underrepresented field.”
At Academy of the Holy Angels, students can enroll in a variety of computer science courses, including Intro to Creative Coding, in which students use codesters.com to create games and creative projects using the language Python. Other classes include Intro to Computer Science, which uses CompuScholar, an online Computer Science and Computer Skills learning management system, to teach the students the C# coding language; and AP Computer Science A, which follows the AP curriculum in which students learn JavaScript and code logic, implementation, testing, and documentation.
At Immaculate Heart Academy, the AP CSA course is taught by Theresa Seymour Dolan, who is also an alumna of the school and a parent to a current IHA student.
“As a teacher, I could not be prouder of the commitment and enthusiasm our students have demonstrated in their study of AP Computer Science,” Dolan said. “I can’t wait to see their passions lead to lifelong success as computer science and STEM professionals.”
This is not the first time either school has achieved this award. In 2018, Immaculate Heart Academy was recognized as one of only 685 that have achieved this important result. Academy of the Holy Angels also received this award in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
According to a Google study, 54% of female college computer science majors took AP CSA in high school. Additionally, female participation in AP Computer Science A has increased by 39% since 2017, according to The College Board. Overall AP computer science course participation has increased by 103% since 2017, broadening STEM career opportunities for more students.
Featured image: 54% of female college computer science majors took AP CSA in high school.
