Paramus—The Frisch School recently launched “Girls Who Code,” a female club for students with or without coding experience.
Girls Who Code offers computer science and technology education for girls in grades 6 to 12. The national organization was created on the basis of reaching gender equality in the field of computer science. It has, according to its website, “developed a new model for computer science education, pairing intensive instruction in robotics, web design, and mobile development with high-touch mentorship and exposure led by the industry’s top female engineers and entrepreneurs.”
“This is more than just a program. It’s a movement,” said Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code.
Girls Who Code began in the summer of 2012 in New York. Since then, it has expanded to eight programs in five different cities around the world. Its summer program was so successful, that it launched Girls Who Code clubs in schools and libraries, featuring seven weeks of instruction in robotics, web design, and mobile development.
Tzipora Stone, a senior at Frisch, went on the Girls Who Code summer immersion program. She suggested the club to Rivkie Silverman, head of Engineering at Frisch. Stone said, “When I applied to Girls Who Code, I wasn’t so sure that I was interested in computer science and I was nervous that I was not experienced enough. However, I quickly learned that prior programming experience was not required as girls in the program came in at all different levels of computer competency. In the end I gained an education in coding and also learned communication and leadership skills that I will carry with me for life. After my summer in the program, I thought it was important to share this opportunity with girls in my high school.”
The 20 students in grades 9 to 12 write their own codes, learn about variables, loops, and conditions. They then learn how to combine them to create a story and final project. They use “Scratch,” a program that teaches the essentials of coding to code two separate boxes, each line with a different color. Girls who complete that proceed to code other shapes, such as stars and hearts.
Colleen Stowe, a representative for “Girls Who Code,” comes to the Frisch School to teach the students how to write computer codes every Monday. She has a Master’s degree in database technology and management in systems. She showed students a Powerpoint presentation as an introduction to coding for their first class.
“Computer scientists are always thinking about efficiency. How can I make this better? What can I do to make this better? The science isn’t about coding or computers, it’s about solving real world problems using computers to help. You can be as creative as you want; you can open your mind to create your own project and have as much fun as you want,” Stowe said.
Amanda Leifer, in addition to being a junior in The Frisch School, is a musician, photographer, and journalist. You can reach her at [email protected].
By Amanda Leifer
