Embracing the fact that we think differently can actually helps women go further in whatever career they
want to do
“At Cypher we are trying to change that. Take our conservation and code workshops, one of our most
popular modules. Instead of presenting it as a class where you’ll learn to programme a drone for a day, an
activity which is probably better suited to boys, we’ll teach how drones are being used to find and collect
plastics in the ocean – making it more interesting for both boys and girls. It’s often about getting over those
initial hurdles and fears ingrained into girls. We need to show them how exciting tech and Stem subjects
can be.”
Tweedale, who was both the captain of the cheerleading team as well as the president of the Computer
Science club and a gamer, hopes Cypher coding camps will help break the traditional gender barriers and
preconceived roles in tech.
“Boys and girls get more by working together than they would apart. At age eight, boys have this super
competitive drive but a very narrow focus, while girls at the same age have a much broader understanding
of what’s going on in a lot of different places. If we bring them together both can benefit from each other.
Embracing the fact that we think differently can actually helps women go further in whatever career they
want to do. At work, it’s about figuring out what will break down the preconceived idea of what someone
can have of you, so that they no longer see you as male or female but can actually understand your skillset.”
In July last year, the Cypher brought its total funding raised to around £440,000. Revenue has grown by
300 per cent in the last two years and is now over £500,000. Tweedale’s next step is to franchise the
business in the US and the Middle East. And at a time where gloomy headlines are warning us that robots
are about to take over our jobs, the entrepreneur’s ultimate goal is to make sure children are confident they
can succeed in the future.
“We know that technology will be an essential part of our children’s working lives whatever career they
choose. Computer Science is now a compulsory part of the national curriculum, we know these skills are
important. But Cypher’s adds real-life context and imagination to that. I want our students to get ahead and
be inspired.”