THOUGHT LEADERS
Fire Tech explains how it’s taking on the tech world to create a diverse community of future digital creators – and why it matters
omen make up only 15% of people in STEM roles, and this figure falls to just 5% for
into a world of artificial intelligence, where bias can wind up entrenched in algorithms. Imagine what tech would be like if the designers and producers reflected the general population in all its diversity! A broader range of lived experiences would deliver brighter, more creative and more useful new ideas to the world, for everybody. Who knows what great inventions and products we have missed out on so far? The statistics tell us that some women and girls have been discouraged (openly or otherwise) from pursuing studies and careers in STEM. But it wasn’t always like this. In fact, the first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace, was a woman, and in many countries, women make up 50% of tech students. It is important for young women to see tech as a discipline that is welcoming, creative and fun. More than that, we need to pump up their access to experiences in order to build their confidence, give them better access to role models and introduce them to a wider community of like- minded creators. At Fire Tech, 28% of students are female. That’s twice the national average, but still not good enough. That’s why #AllGirls courses have been introduced alongside the mixed- gender courses. Fire Tech is building an environment where women can explore their interest in tech and build valuable digital skills in an environment that is social, open, supportive and empowering specifically to them. This is because education is one of – if not the – most powerful tool in our arsenal for change. Fire Tech’s founder, Jill Hodges, says: “As the founder of Fire Tech, I see how much girls enjoy tech and coding when they come to our classes. We have one
leadership roles, according to a recent PwC study. Tech has a gender-gap problem – and something needs to be done about it. When one group dominates the design and build of new products, those products are – unsurprisingly – made for that demographic. We find tech designed with men’s needs prioritised, with smartphone screens made for man-size hands, and mainly men (or men’s ideas of women) as video game heroes. Diversity is about to get even more important as we move
of the highest girl participation rates around, from six year olds up to 17 year olds. But I also know that we get a lot of calls from girls or their mums who are concerned about being the sole girl in a class.” She continues: “We don’t think tech needs to go ‘pink’ to attract girls, but we do think more girls will feel excited about coming to a course where they know they’ll meet women studying STEM subjects, and get to build their projects alongside like- minded young women. We can’t wait to see how these girls work together to problem-solve, create, communicate and build a community of tech-enabled young women.” She concludes: “Fire Tech is building a community of future digital creators and leaders and we want to make it as easy and exciting as possible for young women to be a part of that.” Fire Tech runs camps and courses for ages 9 to 17, teaching kids to code, build, tinker and create. Find out more at firetechcamp.com
Diversity is about to get even more important as we move into a world of artificial intelligence, where bias can wind up entrenched in algorithms"
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ISSUE 01
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