BCS Communications Department
Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (NDA) has received national recognition for closing the gender gap in STEM education.
On Tuesday, the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program announced that NDA has received the Computer Science Female Diversity Award in its AP Computer Science Principles course. The award recognizes schools that have either reached 50% or higher female examinee representation in an AP computer science course, or whose percentage of female examinees met or exceeded that of the school's female population.
“It is an honor to receive recognition for the work our school does to close gender and diversity gaps in STEM education,” said AP Computer Science Principles teacher Mackenzie Robinson. “Our students, especially our female students, are gaining confidence and excelling in STEM fields.”
Research shows that female students who take AP computer science are more likely to major in computer science in college compared to female students of similar background and academic preparation who didn't take AP computer science courses, according to the College Board.
“This honor recognizes the outstanding work your school is doing to engage more female students in computer science,” read a congratulatory letter from the College Board. “... Through your leadership in diversifying computer science education, you’re preparing your female students for the high-paying, in-demand jobs of the future and giving them the opportunity to help solve some of society's most challenging problems.”