GPN – Girls’ Programming Network

Blog post by Nicky Ringland.

*

The Girls’ Programming Network (GPN) is an extra-curricular program for high school girls in years 9-12 interested in computers and technology. Managed by a group of female IT students and alumni from the School of  Information Technology at the University of Sydney, GPN runs on Tuesday afternoons each term, investigating different topics in the world of computers and teaching students to program in Python. 

GPN students have dis- and re-assembled computers, written chatbots, android applications and both text and graphics based games, learnt about cryptography, networking, algorithms, encoding methods, image manipulation, table-top computers and a host of other topics. This term we are focusing on interactive web development, with students learning how to write and deploy dynamic web sites.  No previous programming knowledge is assumed, with extension activities and lectures designed for more advanced students.

The ability not only to use computers but to be a true creator of technology is quickly becoming a valuable skill for students interested in any career, including science, engineering, arts and medicine.  For a number of reasons, girls tend to become expert users of technology, but rarely independently take steps to explore creating and developing technology in their own time.  This leads to an imbalance in confidence at university, as boys frequently have substantial previous experience in programming and IT.  Coupled with the gender imbalance of technology based university enrolments, some girls find choosing Information Technology degrees daunting.  The purpose of GPN is to provide an opportunity to develop their technical skills and social network so they can pursue their interest in IT with confidence. 

GPN is an excellent opportunity for students to move beyond being users of technology and learn to be the designers and builders of technology, to move ahead of the typical user and employ both advanced technical skills and creative expression.  It lets girls explore computer science in an encouraging, fast-paced atmosphere, and gives the girls the chance to meet new friends with similar interests, find female university studentsas mentors, and find out about university life. It offers girls a chance to explore a field many of them may not have otherwise considered.

If you know any tech-minded teenage girls in Sydney, be they daughters,  nieces, cousins or family friends, please pass this on to them!  If you, or they, have any questions, email us at girls at it.usyd.edu.au 

Nicky Ringland
http://sydney.edu.au/it/~gpn