Ep 23. Girls Who Code

Innovation Nation season 4 episode 23, titled "Girls Who Code," takes viewers on a journey through the world of female coders. Hosted by Mo Rocca, the episode explores the challenges and successes of women in the tech industry, and shines a light on the empowering movement of Girls Who Code.

The episode begins with a visit to the Girls Who Code headquarters in New York City, where Rocca speaks with founder Reshma Saujani about the program's mission to close the gender gap in technology. Girls Who Code offers workshops, clubs, and coding camps to girls in grades 3-12, with a focus on building community and confidence for young female coders.

Next, Rocca speaks with a group of high school girls participating in a Girls Who Code summer immersion program. The girls discuss their love for computer science, as well as the sexism and stereotypes they've encountered in the field. Rocca also interviews several Girls Who Code alumni, who share stories of their journeys post-program and offer advice for aspiring female coders.

In addition to Girls Who Code, the episode highlights several women making waves in tech. Rocca speaks with Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, a physicist and Harvard PhD candidate who has been called the "next Einstein." Pasterski discusses her groundbreaking work in theoretical physics and aerospace engineering, and talks about what it's like to be a woman in a male-dominated field.

The episode also features an interview with Pin-Yu Chen, a senior research scientist at IBM who specializes in machine learning and deep neural networks. Chen discusses her experience as a female scientist, and offers insights into the future of AI and its potential to transform the world.

Throughout the episode, Rocca emphasizes the importance of diversity in tech, and highlights the value that women bring to the industry. He also examines some of the persistent challenges facing female coders, including the wage gap and lack of representation in leadership roles.

Overall, "Girls Who Code" is a powerful and inspiring episode that showcases the incredible work and potential of female coders. Viewers will come away with a greater appreciation for the contributions of women in tech, as well as a sense of hope for a more inclusive and innovative future.