Diversity Through iOS DevelopmentApp Camp 4 Girls

Aimee Maree Forsstrom

Aug 31-Sep 1, 2015

Who Am I?Aimee Maree Forsstrom Software Engineer – Educational Resarcher - Technomancer@aimee_maree aimee@linux.com

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

The Vision Gender equality in the software

development profession

Diversity

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.”

Now for the Tech

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 2014

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??

Thank You Jean!

Credits

App Camp for Girls Logo and Photos and quotes are CopyRight App Camp 4 Girls

App Camp For Girls is a non-profit corporation in the State of Oregon

http://Appcamp4girls.com/