Nashua high schooler leads class after winning $3,000 scholarship
BEDFORD, NH – As Girl Scouts continue to strengthen programming
in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, one
Nashua high schooler is putting her computer coding skills to work by
offering a free coding class to Girl Scouts online.
Coding Scouts is the result of a partnership between Girl Scouts of
the Green and White Mountains – the council serving more than 10,000
girls in New Hampshire and Vermont – and the National Center for Women
and Informational Technology - a national nonprofit focused on women's
participation in computing.
Rebecca Zhu, 17, of Nashua,
was awarded a $3,000 scholarship by the center, which she used to
create Coding Scouts, a free three-week online class offered to Girl
Scout Cadettes, who are in grades 6-8. It is open to Girl Scouts
across the U.S.
In first week, Girl Scouts earn the
Coding Basics badge by creating a meme. “They explore what memes are
and learn to code in Javascript,” said Zhu. “We’re using a platform
called VidCode and there’s a specific tutorial on how to create a
meme.” In the second week, they learn how to create an avatar, or
image to represent themselves, and in the third week they learn to
create a website.
Zhu has been interested in computers
since she was in middle school at the Academy for Science and Design,
where she met her co-instructors for the class, also rising seniors at
Nashua High School South like Zhu. Anna Mathew, Sahana Darbhamulla,
and Lavanya Dhavala assist Zhu by helping run the Zoom classes,
including the more personal instruction they can provide through
breakout rooms on Zoom.
“All four of us, we have the same
goal in mind - to empower young women into STEM,” she said.
Zhu said she’s passionate about machine learning and artificial
intelligence. “I would love to expand Coding Scouts to talk about
artificial intelligence. It’s just so cool.” She added that if machine
learning is used for good, it would have a lot positive implications
for the future.
"Before I learned to code, it seemed
magical,” she writes on her Coding Scouts page. “I realized that
coding, just like art, is an outlet for me to be creative. Moreover,
coding has the ability to positively impact the lives of others. I
remember the feeling of satisfaction after completing my first coding
project, which is what I want all girls to be able to experience. Now,
more than ever, it is time for women to pursue their STEM
interests."
Zhu’s interest and skills mesh perfectly
with the Girl Scout mission to develop girls of courage, confidence,
and character, who make the world a better place, as well as
strengthening the Girl Scout programming in STEM.
To
learn more about Coding Scouts, see http://www.coding-scouts.com/
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving more than 10,000 girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
