Women in STEM Workshop and CodeFest in Bhutan: Empowering the Next Generation of Female Technologists

The Women in STEM Workshop and CodeFest, led by Kezang Dema of the College of Science and Technology (CST), Royal University of Bhutan, addressed a persistent challenge: the underrepresentation of women in STEM education and careers.

It used hands-on training to introduce students to life-improving STEM pathways. At the same time, it also gave them the confidence and skills to embark on their own STEM journeys.

A Multi-Stage Initiative with Real Impact

The project had three major phases, each designed to deepen engagement:

1. STEM Awareness Workshops and Campus Exposure

The first phase brought together 142 female students from secondary schools across Bhutan.

Participants attended STEM awareness sessions and enjoyed onsite tours at CST. They also engaged in interactive discussions about academic and career pathways.

For many students, this was a first. They had never been exposed to structured information about higher STEM education.

As a result, after the sessions:

• Students reported significantly improved understanding
• Many began seriously considering STEM as a viable path

2. Hands-On Programming Workshops

The second phase focused on building practical STEM skills. Students learned how to apply C programming in practical ways during interactive workshops. This approach accomplished several objectives for students:

• Learned foundational coding concepts
• Participated in guided exercises
• Built confidence through hands-on practice

Programming is often one of the biggest barriers for students entering STEM, especially if they’ve had little to no previous exposure.

However, by introducing coding in an accessible, supportive environment, the program:

• Demystified the technical skills needed to excel at programming
• Shifted problematic perceptions around programming being “hard”
• Encouraged students to continue exploring ways to use programming

3. CodeFest: From Learning to Application

The final stage, called CodeFest, was a competition between about 60 students. It taught them:

• How to solve problems under time constraints
• Team collaboration skills
• How to apply coding principles in real-world scenarios

Measuring Impact: Awareness, Engagement, and Outcomes

The project incorporated data-driven evaluation, using surveys to track awareness and interest levels.

Understanding STEM Awareness

Initial survey findings showed limited understanding of STEM pathways at CST, as well as a lack of clarity around academic requirements and career options.

However, after the workshop, the results indicated:

• Significant improvement in STEM awareness
• Stronger motivation by students to pursue STEM education

Tracking Engagement Across Activities

Survey data revealed:

• 83.2% interest in the first activity
• 73.3% interest in the second
• 62.4% interest in the CodeFest

[NOTE: PLEASE INSERT GRAPHS SHOWING ENGAGEMENT STATS HERE. ]

Genuine Impact: Participants Share Their Experiences

Students cited motivations such as:

• Curiosity about STEM fields
• Desire to learn programming
• Interest in future career opportunities

Here are some of their thoughts, in their own words:

“Participating in the project opened my eyes to the opportunities available in STEM, especially at the College of Science and Technology. Before the programme, I had limited knowledge about engineering pathways. Today, I am proud to be pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology at CST.” – Celina Raj Chhetri, First Year IT student, CST

“My decision to participate in the project activities played a significant role in shaping my academic decision. I was initially unsure about pursuing engineering, but the awareness session was very much helpful and it motivated me to explore STEM further.” – Deeya Monger, First Year Electrical Engineering Student, CST

Volunteers and administrators also shared insights reflecting the value of the program:

“As a volunteer, I felt proud to contribute to the initiatives undertaken as part of the IEEE Computer Society project. Such efforts will help encourage more young girls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields.” – Nyingye Metog Dorji, Volunteer, RUB ACM Student Chapter member

“I am happy that our students, especially the girls, had the opportunity to explore higher STEM education and learn about programs offered at College of Science and Technology. They likely gained valuable insights from learning C programming and the contest—opportunities we rarely get in schools, and we are grateful for this meaningful experience.” – Ms. Yeshi Choden, Teacher, Rigsar Higher Secondary School

Introducing STEM to Girls in Bhutan

The Women in STEM Workshop and CodeFest was more than a series of workshops and challenges. It laid the groundwork for future STEM exploration for schoolgirls that wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity. All the materials developed for the workshops and CodeFest are available for others to continue this crucial work and scale the program to more students.

In this way, the IEEE Computer Society increases exposure to life-changing STEM opportunities for previously marginalized learners. By expanding learning experiences, IEEE CS paves the way for fruitful careers that can benefit communities around the globe.

The Women in STEM Workshop and CodeFest in Bhutan program was funded by the IEEE Computer Society Broadening Participation Fund. New grants are awarded to members every year. Learn how to support IEEE CS’s work by volunteering.