At The Code Lab, we believe in the power of coding to unlock limitless possibilities for the next generation. We are passionate about teaching kids to code and show them the value of technology beyond social media.
We place a special focus on encouraging girls to embrace coding and STEM subjects. In 2019 we launched our Girls Can Code! Programme to inspire young girls to become innovators and inventors of technology in the future.
Our Girls Can Code! Programme consists of dynamic and engaging in-person workshops, self-paced online coding lessons and our recently launched Schools Coding Programme, where girls in primary schools can benefit from learning coding in the classroom using our online learning platform.
What Inspired Us to Start the Girls Can Code! Programme?
- We noticed a gender disparity in participants attending our children’s coding workshops in Creative Spark, Dundalk.
- There was a concerning under-representation of girls at our coding workshops, with as low as 6% female participants, and sometimes none at all.
- Our founder, Joan McCann, was astonished to find that the gender disparity she encountered in 1996, when graduating in Computer Science and Software Engineering, still exists today.
- Many young girls are avoiding STEM subjects in secondary education, and even fewer pursue STEM disciplines in higher education.
- As educators already involved with primary school children, we decided to use The Code Lab’s platform to advocate for coding and STEM subjects among primary school
How did we start the Girls Can Code! Programme?
1. Free Girls Coding Workshops
We began the Girls Can Code! Programme with a series of free girls-only workshops at Creative Spark, generously sponsored by the MeetAndCode programme.
2. Identified Parents as the Decision Makers
Our promotion and advertising were directed towards parents of girls aged 8 to 13, a critical age when girls often lose interest in STEM subjects. Our objective was to convince these parents that coding and STEM education could be both engaging and highly beneficial for their daughters.
3. Advertising & Marketing Campaign
Through dedicated efforts and effective marketing, we successfully attracted 16 girls to our first Girls Can Code! workshop. Many of these girls continued to attend our regular mixed-gender coding workshops in the following years.
Where is the Girls Can Code! Programme Today?
- We run annual Girls Can Code! Workshops at Creative Spark, Dundalk, These workshops cover a wide range of subjects from coding animations, games, and digital art using Scratch, to coding and electronics featuring BBC Micro:bits. We also offer electro-fashion workshops using MakeCode, Micro:bits, and Conductive Thread.
- Girls Can Code! Has Moved Online – In May 2024, The Code Lab Online Schools Coding Programme launched in an all-girls primary schools in Ireland, marking a significant advancement for our Girls Can Code! While this programme is open to children of all genders, the decision to launch in an all-girls school was intentional and driven by our passion and dedication to encourage more girls into technology.
Our online schools programme uses a STEM-focused online learning platform, providing coding courses and lessons on-demand. Teachers have the flexibility to integrate coding into their weekly class schedule using our step-by-step video tutorials. The primary objective of this initiative is to normalise technology and coding for the girls involved, and show them that there is a use for technology in their lives, beyond social media!
The Future for our Girls Can Code! Programme
- We will continue to host Girls Can Code! Workshops and Events to inspire local girls to embrace technology, and expand the range of coding languages and technologies
- Through our Online Schools Coding Programme, Girls Can Code! will extend its reach beyond our community to primary school girls
- Our objective for the Girls Can Code! Programme is to pave the way for a future where girls lead the charge in innovation and
A Girls Can Code! Success Story
- One of our Girls Can Code! attendee’s, who actively participated in our workshops and camps since 2018, when she was just 11 years old, has been inspired by her experience. She chose to study Computer Science in secondary school based on her experience learning coding with us and is preparing to take her Leaving Certificate Computer Science exam next She plans to pursue further studies in Computer Science at third level and build a career in technology.
- This success story is a significant achievement for The Code Lab and serves as a powerful motivation for our ongoing dedication to our Girls Can Code!
Let’s code the future together, visit us here: https://thecodelab.ie/
