Girls Programming Network

Girls Programming Network

On Saturday the 11th of September, eight Year 7 girls caught the train up to Melbourne along with Mrs Butler. We had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Girls Programming Network, an all-day coding experience for high school girls that was held at Melbourne University. The day began with warmup puzzles in the lecture theatre before the introduction to the program. We split into separate groups to begin coding the Micro:bits, a pocket-sized programmable computer. 

After learning how these devices worked, we began working our way through a series of instructions to program our own Tamagotchi’s – little virtual pets. Using python, a text-based code, proved to be challenging at first, but with the help of the tutors we were able to problem-solve and find solutions. After a break for an enjoyable pizza lunch and quick tour of the university campus, we returned to the lecture theatre for a session of ‘Computerless Computer Games.’

We were able to learn how computers translate images and shapes through binary. What followed was a fun session of creating pictures and translating them into code before we returned to the computer labs to complete the code for our Micro:bit Tamagotchi’s. We returned to South Geelong Station at 6:00pm, brimming with newfound knowledge and excitement about the incredible coding experience that we had been able to participate in. 

By Alice Farran 7B