But one of the big issues is they are filled with BOYS not girls. For some reason we don't encourage our girls to take these classes.
I think it's the reverse. I often read about efforts that specifically encourage girls to go into STEM, but I never read about programs that specifically target boys. If more boys than girls study computer science, that may reflect what they are interested in.
The reason we have programs targeting girls is because it has been noticed that not a lot of girls were entering these programs. The percentage of girls enrolled in college programs are down from the 80's. This is something that is engrained in our society and educational system that is a constant struggle to fight. Many parents don't encourage them. Girls are traditionally thought to be not good at math & science. Young girls don't think they are good at these subjects and not encouraged by parents and teachers and the media. Young teen girls see computer science as something the "geeky" boys do in junior high and won't pursue these direction because they worry about how they fit in with their peers.
Sure there are notable people & program working for change. And I see a lot of it on social media because of who I am, but it this is still pervasive in the general society.
