Girls in science and technology

Programming Challenge for Girls

Three Northcote students, Nui Matthews, Stella Russo, and Lucy Rachman Vascotto recently participated in the first of a series of training courses for the Programming Challenge for Girls. The Challenge is a coding competition to be held later this year at the University of Melbourne. They learned how to use the basic features of Alice, a programming language that allows students to develop programs with 3D graphics. The students also met the NAO Evolution robot, which was coded in Python. It could answer questions and dance to Gagnam Style. Stella, Lucy and Nui are very excited to learn more about Alice and continue training for the competition in November.

Celebrating women in Science

In recognition of International Women and Girls in Science day Hannah Eom of Year 11 attended Government House where female scientists from the Royal Women’s Hospital shared their experiences of working in a male dominated field. The speakers worked in paediatrics, endometriosis research, fertility treatments for cancer patients and development of the HPV vaccination. They gave the students valuable insights into the different journeys they have taken to get to where they are today. The event was opened by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, and attended by schools from across the state. And the cucumber sandwiches were delicious.