Girl power adds to computer coding
The technology field is predominantly filled with men, but an annual event across the country has been striving for the past five years to change that trend.
Canada Learning Code, an organization with 33 chapters across the country, hosted Girls Learning Code Day locally at Niagara College on Saturday, welcoming a group of girls aged eight to 13 years old to the Welland campus to learn more about computer programming and game development.
Josie Feccini, chapter lead for Niagara, said the event encourages young women to become interested in the growing industry, and possibly pursue it as a career through post-secondary education.
At Niagara College, there are 75 students in the game development program and only three of them are females.
“We really want to promote girl getting involved in technology,” Feccini said.
“It’s great to get them started young and try to develop an interest and a passion.”
Professor Gina Grossi said she was pleased with the turnout and is glad to be a part of the day being hosted at the campus for the second consecutive year, with assistance from Niagara College graduates.
“We’re very happy to contribute, being able to inspire these girls to have careers in programming and the tech field,” she said.
During the collaborative experience, students work together to build a video game that addresses a social or environmental issue.
They also explore the game industry by learning about various roles on project teams.