In an idea that is on the order of “about time”, Mattel
introduced Computer Engineer Barbie on the 12th of February
2010. Let us hope that this helps solve part of the problem with
women and girls going into Computer Science. The problem is
solvable, it will just take the concerted efforts of parents and
education along with cultural reforms within Computer Science to
attract more people into a career field that needs more people
in it. It is well known through the CRA report that women
graduating from Computer Science degree programs has been
steadily declining. According to the latest CRA Taulbee Survey,
women in Computer Science are only some 12% of all degrees in CS
being granted. This is down from 18% in 1993/1994. What is
interesting is that during the same time Science and Engineering
degrees for women have been increasing during the same time from
46% to 51% in 2004/2005. This is why Computer Engineer Barbie is
so very important, and Mattel has done an excellent job in
bringing in a new Barbie Doll fo