Coding is fast becoming one of the biggest industries for young people. With coding camps for kids on the rise and the advent of popular historical Hollywood depictions of early computer pioneers such as The Imitation Game (2014) and Hidden Figures (2016), it is not hard to see why.

According to a global software developer survey in 2021, the overwhelming majority of developers are male, accounting for just under 92 per cent of all respondents. Many companies are therefore undertaking initiatives to encourage girls to get into coding, such as US Bank, a fortune 500 company that has partnered with Technovation for the cause.

This week (May 15th), eight high school girls in Minnesota got the chance to impress big-time business leaders with their coding prowess. Included in the audience was US Bank CEO Andrew Cecere, as well as a number of high-ranking executives.

Among the pitches given by the students, ranging in age from seventh grade to seniors, was an app to fight climate change by a team of four girls from Rochester, as well as a competition-based recycling app developed by two friends from Wayzata High School.

“We were really excited when we found out we were going to come here, considering it's such a huge platform,” Wayzata High School student Kavia Prasav was quoted by CBS Minnesota as saying.

Andersen United Middle School in Minneapolis also sent a team who wowed the suits present with a mental health app featuring breathing exercises and daily affirmations.

“I've had a lot of presentations given to me in this room and you guys were right at the top,” a clearly impressed Mr Cecere told the young students.

There is still a long way to go to bring the numbers of female coders in line with their male counterparts, as well as the ever-present problem of the gender pay gap… but sending your kids off to a coding camp could be a way to help tackle the issue head on