Girls Who Code Club

Hear more about the Girls Who Code Club

Empowering girls in grades 5-12 to learn about computer science and how to write computer code while making connections with other girls who also think creatively. Led by female computer science faculty and college students in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Classes are free, though donations are welcome for food, supplies, t-shirts and instructors.

Registration for Spring 2024 has closed.

Girls Who Code Interest Fall 2024

We’ll contact you when registration for the next session opens.

Name

Spring 2024 Session Information

Classes will be held in person at the EMS building of UW-Milwaukee (3200 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee 53211) and online via Zoom.

  • The classes are open to students from 5th to 12th grade.
  • All classes are held Friday nights from 6 to 8 pm.
  • The session will run for 10 weeks, beginning February 9 and ending April 26 with breaks on March 22 and 29 (for spring break).

In-Person and Online Classes Offered:

  • Level 1: Introduction to Coding IN-PERSON Class (little to no experience with coding). Students will use the Codesters platform to learn coding with Python.
  • Level 1: Introduction to Coding ONLINE Class (little to no experience with coding). Students will use Codesters platform to learn coding with Python.
  • Level 2: Introduction to Web Programming ONLINE Class (some coding experience assumed). Students will learn Javascript, CSS and HTML.
  • Level 3: Advanced Python IN-PERSON Class (some coding experience assumed). Lessons are based on a Microsoft TEALS curriculum. The students’ activities are similar to those found in introductory programming classes in college.
  • Game Design IN-PERSON Class. Students must be 7th grade or higher to join the class. They will use Unity to create games.

Questions? email girls-who-code@uwm.edu

Hear a WUWM Lake Effect interview on how Girls Who Code has adapted during the pandemic

How the Girls Who Code Program at UWM has adapted during the pandemic

Listen to a podcast about Girls Who Code

UWM Class Aims to Increase Number of Women Entering STEM Fields

Read about a student from Kenya who participated in Girls Who Code

“I use the computer for school, and I wanted to understand more about how they work,” said Elsie Maingi, who is 10 years old and lives in Nairobi.

However, computer classes in Kenya were geared to high school students and business people and were usually quite expensive, said her mother, Lilian Wangechi.

So in the fall of 2020, they turned to Google and found the free Girls Who Code program at UWM. Because of the time difference, Elsie got up at 2 a.m. for every class during that semester and the spring 2021 semester. Read more here.

Also printed in the Milwaukee Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the classes cost anything?

Our classes are free but we welcome donations for food, supplies, t-shirts and instructors. In the past we charged $5 per meeting.

What age girls can attend?
The classes are geared toward girls in grades 5-12, but if younger girls are able to learn in this environment, they are welcome.

Can boys participate?
The activities and outreach are aimed toward girls, because we wish to increase the number of girls interested in computing, but we will not turn boys away.

Can adults participate?
These classes are for students still in school. If older people wish to participate, see one of the volunteers for other opportunities.

Will you have club meetings over summer?
No, but UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science is sponsoring EnQuest, an all-girl engineering summer camp.

What Students and Parents are Saying

Students and parents overwhelmingly give thumbs up to the experience.

  • From a student’s perspective: “I got to learn a lot of new coding things and I also got to know a lot more people.”
  • A parent’s perspective:  “…it is important that she sees herself as someone who could (in the future) create something cool rather than just waiting for someone else to create it.”