Thinking more about the girls' diverse talents and interests, I thought we'd stray a little from the Girls Who Code model and provide a wider variety of STEM experiences. I am also aware that this club is a social interaction for the girls as well. 1.5-2 hours staring at a computer, trying to finish a project, was really difficult for this group who liked each other and only had this club to talk to each other IRL. I also knew I'd be working on several projects with the impending 3D printer distribution around the district, so I decided to tighten up the schedule a little bit.
I planned the Winter 2019 Girls Coding Club as a 6-week, 2-hour program, with the following topics:
Week 1: introduction, learn to solder (as per my SLA's recommendation)
Week 2: Art --> PencilCode & Processing
Week 3: 3D Modeling and Printing
Week 4:Web --> HTML + CSS & JavaScript
Week 5: Music --> Python
Week 6: Soft Circuits --> LilyTiny
When club started up again, our 4 girls returned, plus a friend who attended in Winter 2018, but missed Fall 2018, and a new member, Serenity. I heard from several of the returning parents that their girls (who met in club) had been texting each other since the last club ended, ready to start up again. SLA Taylor, and children's librarian Maggie joined me in this endeavor.
The first week was chaotic. The girls were high energy, excited to see each other again, and, as teens do, often spoke their own language. I think it was a bit intimidating for the people assisting. We spent the first part of the session having them talk about languages they have tried out, languages they would like to learn, and other ice-breaker-y type questions.
We then had them set up to solder. They settled right in to the task at hand, and we only had one badge that couldn't get finished. Pretty successful. :)
The second week, we did pretty well with PencilCode. Processing was more of a challenge for the girls and I lost a couple of them to Youtube/memes.
In Week 3, they were all very excited to learn about 3D printing and modeling. Some of them made successful models...some of them not so successful. But, I printed all of their objects and promised them glittery purple Rocktopodes if they finished their models. All came through :)
Week 4 was supposed to be HTML/CSS, but the girls didn't express much interestin this topic and/or already had experience with this. So, instead, I brought in the VR equipment on loan from the State Library and let the girls configure and work with the technology. They loved it (and I got some great experience for when I lead an intro session for adults a couple of weeks later).
Week 5 was supposed to be Earsketch, but the girls let me know they spent the first few weeks of the Winter 2018 Club working in Earsketch, so we decided to get started with our soft circuits. I brought in LilyTiny, battery holders, and LEDs and had the girls prototype circuits. I then had them practice stitching with conductive thread on fabric and an embroidery hoop. We also added a new member, Leilani.
Week 6: Instead of a party to celebrate a project they worked on over the past several weeks, we did our best to get a soft circuit project finished. I asked the girls what type of wearable item they wanted to work on for our final week and they indicated a hat. I found black hats for a decent price at the craft store and followed this Instructable on sewing them into a hat. We ultimately left out the Lilytiny and worked directly from the battery holder to the LEDs. It was actually pretty successful, but we left an insane mess to clean up in the morning.
This program is a lot of work, but so rewarding. Feedback from participants indicates that if VA does not offer another Girls Coding Club in Fall 2019, they will form their own club. Creating a welcoming and casual environment for these girls to meet, interact, and learn new skills has been a resounding success. The girls let me know they have been able to apply their soldering, printing, and coding skills in their classes.
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