After months of developing HTML guides, organizing board members, coordinating outreach, and orchestrating logistics, I saw GirlsCode’s annual Code-A-Thon finally come to life on Sunday, November 24th. Over the past few months, along with the GirlsCode board members and Programming Pros, I planned what turned out to be a successful event that spread computer science to the community and ignited a passion within the next generation of coders.
The event was held at the Highland Park Public Library and welcomed people of all ages and genders, no matter their experience level, to engage in computer science and hear from a speaker in the field. We created four different stations for attendees to choose from: Scratch, HTML, Encryption, and Binary Bracelets. At the Scratch station, Programming Pros guided participants through the design and functionality of their own original games. There were guides ranging from beginner games (such as building an ice cream sundae) to advanced games (such as constructing an Etch-A-Sketch game). At the HTML station, coders with a bit more experience learned how to create and style web pages. The Encryption and Binary Bracelet stations offered “unplugged” activities that could be completed without computers. Participants could learn about the way computers secretly exchange information through encryption, and then they could understand the way computers think with binary by making bracelets with black and white beads.
After an hour and a half of exploration, participants grabbed snacks and gathered to hear from Stephanie Diao, a computer science major studying at Northwestern University. Lexi (my co-president) and I asked about her experiences in a Q&A format, and we opened it up to the audience to ask as well.
Everyone was welcome to take home a GirlsCode sticker and had plenty of code to showcase to their families. It was incredible to walk around and see the excited smiles of all participants, young and old, as they added fun characters to their Scratch games or strung beads onto their Binary Bracelets. I can tell that we truly made a difference in their lives. We enabled them to become immersed in the STEM field and work with mentors and role models. I know that this event helps GirlsCode in its mission to close the gender gap in technology and advance innovation in the field, and I look forward to planning similar initiatives throughout the rest of my time with the organization.
See these pictures and video compilation for a closer look at the event!
