The 2017 Navigate 'Girls Do Code' is a free learning event happening in the ENTER lab at Aspen Elementary School on Saturday, March 11. The doors will open at 9:30, in time for a 9:45 welcome and orientation session. Events will run until 3:30 p.m.
The focus of this annual event is to encourage girls in Grades 6-9 to participate in technology, to meet mentors who have successful careers in the fields of technology, science and engineering, and to recognize the value of their ideas and input.
Although the day's itinerary is intended for girls, all students and parents are welcome to attend a day of fun learning, prizes, and workshops.
The Girls Do Code event is an opportunity for kids and parents to explore various technology-related learning stations with topics that include electronic circuits, 3D printing, laser cutting, Gravity Cars, Lego Mindstorm Robotics, bread boarding and more. The learning stations will be facilitated by current secondary school female students, teachers, and community leaders including Randy Grey, Vivian Vaillant, Sarah Dakin, Meiko Matsumoto, Jim Tattrie, Roger Vernon, and Steve Claassen. Each will be sharing their knowledge and expertise, and showing how various technologies contribute to their careers. A lunch for participants will also be provided.
"Encouraging girls to engage in STEM curriculum is one of the best ways that educators can promote gender equality and prepare young women for successful careers," says Navigate principal Jeff Stewart. "We now offer three technology-focused programs that can support SD71 students from elementary to graduation, beginning with ENTER 6-7 at Aspen Elementary, then ENTER2 for Grades 8-9, and iMaker for Grades 10-12 at Highland Secondary. By the time students graduate, they have a very good foundation to prepare them for post-secondary programs. Events like this can help to remove barriers and increase student confidence."
Various exhibits will also be on display including Driving Chair, Raspberry Pi Video game console and Simon Says games from Vanier students, NIC RWSL courtesy of Albert Balbon and Naomi Tabata, an iMaker Table, and VEX Robotics demonstration by Stew Savard.
For more information about this free learning event, contact Stewart at 250-337-5300 or visit navigatenides.com