Programming Challenge for Girls

Q&A  Programming Challenge for Girls (PC4G)

Melbourne University has presented our female students with an opportunity to participate in a coding workshop (Programming Challenge for Girls PC4G). Last week, two of our Year 8 students (Bree Oliver and Mara Looney) took them up on the offer and tried out coding in an approachable, fun, and challenging environment through the use of the program ALICE. 

The girls kindly said they’d participate in this brief Q&A in the hope that they could help shine a light on Digital Technologies and to encourage more girls to join our classes. 

Q: Tell me about your day away? What’s your number one take away from it?

Bree:

My day was great aside from the early start! My main take-away from our trip to Melbourne was how to use “ALICE” as I had never used it before. It was a brand new experience with a new coding system. I found it hard to get the programming to look realistic. It was good to have some of the teachers from the course walking around and helping when we needed it.

Mara :

Our trip to Melbourne was fun and although we only spent a short time in the classroom it was great to learn skills on how to use ALICE because I had never used it before.

Q: What do you like about your digital technologies class?

Bree:

My favourite part of our Digital Tech classes is being able to play little games about our topic.

Mara:

I like Digital Technologies because I know in the future I will use the skills I learn in this class as more things are connected to computers and the internet.

Why do you think it’s important for girls to learn about Digital Technology or STEM?

Mara:

It is important for girls to learn about Digital Technology/STEM so that there are more girls in business that use technology and to make everyone comfortable using these programs.

What do you say to girls thinking about doing a Digital Technology class at St. Joseph’s?

Bree:

If you are thinking about doing a Digital Tech class I would go for it because the classes are enjoyable and you will have extended knowledge of computers in general.

Mara:

I would say if you are thinking about doing Digital Technologies go for it. The class is fun and you learn a lot, the classes are there to take part in so give it a try.