The
College
Board
awarded
Potomac
High
School
the
AP®
Computer
Science
A
Female
Diversity
Award.
This
award
is
for
schools
that
have
not
only
expanded
girls'
access
in
Advanced
Placement
(AP®)
Computer
Science
courses
but
also
achieved
high
female
representation
in
AP
Computer
Science
A
(AP
CSA).
In
total,
1,020
schools
were
recognized
for
their
work
toward
equal
gender
representation
during
the
2020-21
school
year,
and
Potomac
High
is
one
of
199
schools
to
receive
the
AP
CSA
recognition.AP CSA students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today's society. At Potomac, students can take AP CSA in addition to AP Computer Science Principles or classes in the Cybersecurity specialty program.
Hilary Mahalchick, administrative coordinator of the Cambridge Programme and gifted resource teacher at Potomac, emphasized the value of these courses, sharing that they allow students, whether there is an initial interest in technology or not, to explore the field for free.
"If they are exposed to opportunities early, this will make it more likely for students to take [science, technology, engineering, and math] courses later in life, especially for our female students and other students who are typically underrepresented in the field of technology," explained Mahalchick.
Looking ahead, Potomac hopes to see continued growth in its female participation in computer science programs as more learn about available courses in the School Division and technology opportunities beyond school.
"We are seeing more female elementary school students learning about coding, STEM related careers, and technology courses so this is creating more growth in the high school programs as these students move up to us," added Mahalchick.