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GIRLS GET CODING

Contact: Elliot Warren
Librarian
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6195
ewarren@cityofberkeley.info

GIRLS GET CODING
Learning to Build an App this Summer

Berkeley, California (June 5, 2019) - This summer, Berkeley Public Library will offer Girls Get Coding, a seven week intensive coding class that has been designed by and will be led by two high school students under the mentorship of a Berkeley Public Library Librarian.

Girls comprise only 19% of all Advance Placement Computer Science test-takers; women earn only 18% of all undergraduate computer and information sciences degrees; and only 12% of software engineers are female. Girls Get Coding is free and open to all but is geared towards girls entering grades 7-9 to support bridging the gender divide in tech.
Participants will:

  • consider social issues that interest them
  • work in teams
  • learn how to build an app that addresses a specific social issue of their choosing
  • develop entrepreneurial skills and create a business plan for the app

The class runs from June 20 to July 31, meeting three times each week at the Central Library: Wednesdays 10am-12pm, Thursdays 11:15am-1pm and Fridays 10am-12pm. All Library programs are free and open to the public but space is limited so registration is required.

“This program is an exciting new offering because it speaks to so many of our goals here at Berkeley Public Library,” notes Acting Director of Library Services, Elliot Warren. “With Girls Get Coding we are supporting digital and technical literacy for those who may otherwise not have access to learning code. We are offering hands-on learning experiences that build interest and knowledge of STEM-related fields and we are providing leadership opportunities for teens to empower other teens and preteens. We anticipate great interest in this new class!”

Funding for this program was made possible in part by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library whose generosity allows librarians to develop, innovate and offer valuable programming.

For additional information or questions regarding Girls Get Coding, please call 510-981-6195.

The Central Library is located at 2090 Kittredge Street and is open Monday, 12:00noon-8:00pm, Tuesday, 10:00am-8:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00am-6:00pm, and Sunday from 1:00pm-5:00pm.

Wheelchair accessible. To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations for this event, please call (510) 981-6195 (voice) or (510) 548-1240 (TTY); calling at least five working days will help ensure availability. Please refrain from wearing scented products to public programs. Visit the Library’s website: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

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