The lower level of participation of females in computer science courses is a continuing concern for educators. A number of different reasons for this lack of participation have been put forward, including differences in attitudes, bias, role models, differential treatment by classmates and teachers, patterns of computer use, availability of computers and their associated subject areas. This series of studies, conducted over a three year period, examines potential factors affecting computer course participation by males and females in middle and high school grades. Differences in role models, attitudes, interest and computer use between gender as well as within gender were found to exist which may contribute to a continuing stereotype of computers as a male domain. (Author)