Diversity through iOS Development - App Camp 4 Girls
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Transcript of Diversity through iOS Development - App Camp 4 Girls
Who Am I?Aimee Maree Forsstrom Software Engineer – Educational Resarcher - Technomancer@aimee_maree [email protected]
Worked in the field of Information Technology since 2000Long list of work in Open Source (but this is not relevant today)
Involved with research projects around young girls in IT to change the perception of programmingCurrently working on a program to assist Youth on the AutisticSpectrum and IT Entreprenureship
Why am I Here?All good things start with a story...In 2014 I was based in Seattle, Washington, USA
An Aussie Male friend of mine RT a tweet from @askvirginia “We are looking for mentors for a project mentoring kids”
I responded “I can help”
And there started my journey to working with one of the most innovative projects I have come across for young girls in programming
The HistoryApp Camp 4 Girls was founded by Jean McDonald
She was inspired to launch App Camp 4 Girls by the low numbers of women she noticed at Apple's WWDC.
She started thinking of ways to increase participation of young girls to help feed the pipeline and increase women's participation in Apple development.
But she did not want to just teach them to code she wanted to immerse them in the software development process to inspire them onto further learning.
The MissionTo empower girls by providing
engaging and accessible educational programs in software
development
Women only need ApplyApp Camp 4 Girls inspires an interest in software development through hands-on experience in App
creation led by role models from the industry.
Individuals who self-identify as female, trans* (of any identity), or gender non-conforming are encouraged to Apply for mentorship positions.
Role Models is the DNAApp Camp 4 Girls is a place where girls can
put their creative powers to work designing and building Apps while
learning more about the business of software
and being inspired by women mentors in the field.
Diversity with Role ModelsKey ingredient
All attendees are young girls (generally 12 -14)All mentors and speakers are Women in Technology
This enables us to present them with role models from different backgrounds with
diverse stories
Addressing The Question?We ask the question “Why do we need a Girls only
camp and not a Boys only camp”
Attendees that have been to App camps before as the only girl or there were less then 10 in a group of
100
We teach that the best way we can support Women in Technology is to support each other and be friends
and promote other Women in TechBe a friend and feel confident to talk about issues
Can Men Still Help?Yes, always…
Spread the WordSponsor a Camp
If you know women who could help out and would like to volunteer let them
know about the project
Curriculam ApproachOne week campTeach creative thinking as well as design and codeTake students through the process of making an AppThis means not just code but UI design, marketing, presentation skills, creative thinking
Include outdoor activities not just Info tech workshops
At the end of the week the girls pitch their ideas to a table of VCs
Why Is This Different?Teaching students about App building enabling all students to participate in design, marketing and development of Apps
Include outdoor activities to enable social skill training and show how we always need a break from technology work
Introduction of positive role models – not just mentors but bringing in experts in their fields to provide talks and teaching workshops
Positive Feedback“My daughter had a terrific time and was so
inspired! Your camp has solidified her interest in a career as a computer programmer.”
“It’s a fun camp where you get to learn so much, meet amazing people, and build
friendship and confidence.”
Technology StackTeams have Apple Mac Book Pro between studentsEach attendee gets an iPod Touch to run and test App's on that they can take home and show to their parentsThe first camps were written in ObjectiveCTeams are encouraged to draw and create their own artworkEach Team skecthes up their UI designs Hand Drawn Artwork is printed and scanned inEach team makes two badge designs of their brand
The { CODE }Calculator or Quiz Game App template was usedThis meant about 60% of the code already writtenAttendees needed to write the connecting code
Their was time for them to take the App to the next level and add their own features and improvements
For those who did not want to take it further in code they could focus on design and still have a functioning App at the end of one week
Growing Technology StackFirst App Camps developed Basic Calculator Expanded to a more Complex Game Quiz
Future Expansion: Challenge campers with more complex Games
Apple Watch App's: to be able to add creating Apple Watch App's to the curriculum
Seattle Camp 20152015 was the second App Camp ran in SeattleThree students from the prior year returned as intern mentors
Swift was introduced
Girls got to see how just because the code changed the Approach to building an App and the basics of programming still Applied
What Does The Future Hold?App Camp for Girls is Growing
In 2015 there have been three camps run in North America, Portland, Seattle and
VancouverThe team is always looking at expanding
Current goal establish 4 new locationsin North America (7 in total)
I would love to see one run in Australia!
SupportBuy the App the Students builtitunes.Apple.com/us/App/App-camp-quiz-compendium/id942207154?mt=8
Donate to the ProjectAppcamp4girls.com/contributeSponsor a camp
Talk to meHow we can run one in Australia??