Conference Agenda

A girl walks into a cybersecurity camp unsure if she belongs; five days later, she confidently explains how to defend a system. This transformation is the foundation of Ladies Can Code, an early-intervention initiative that engages middle school girls, particularly those from underrepresented communities, in cybersecurity.

The program challenges traditional STEM outreach by replacing lecture-based approaches with a creative, immersive model that blends cybersecurity fundamentals with storytelling, design thinking, and hands-on problem solving. Over 30 instructional hours, participants explore key concepts such as confidentiality, integrity, availability, and adversarial thinking through accessible activities like “crypto puzzles,” network security, and introductory Python. This approach reduces cognitive barriers while strengthening confidence, identity, and a sense of belonging in STEM.

Since its launch in 2016, Ladies Can Code has reached over 200 girls, with more than 80% reporting positive experiences and over half expressing increased interest in STEM careers. The program has evolved into a leadership pipeline, where returning participants mentor new cohorts, creating a sustainable peer-learning ecosystem.

Designed for scalability, the model relies on a modular curriculum, low-cost implementation, and a collaborative network of faculty, students, and community partners. Findings demonstrate that early, intentional, and inclusive exposure not only builds technical skills but reshapes how girls see themselves in engineering.

Ladies Can Code shows that when engagement starts early and is designed with purpose, the future workforce becomes more diverse, confident, and inclusive.