Anita Mehrotra
08.12.15
Anita Mehrotra, Data Scientist at Buzzfeed and teacher at a Girls Who Code club, spoke to us about her career and what skills we might need to become good data scientists.
After college, Anita did not know what career path to take but knew she liked data and statistics — so she pursued computational science. She has many interests (including writing) and combines her interdisciplinary interests in her data-driven journalism for Buzzfeed.
Using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS (which the girls learned last week), Anita has created data visuals to show the virality of particular articles as well as a cool mirror that displays Buzzfeed article headlines using a Raspberry Pi.
Lastly, Anita encouraged the girls to become better software developers by using version control, sharing ideas with better public speaking skills, and collaboration skills.
Career/College Workshop
08.11.15
Aimee and Erin from Accenture prepared us for interviewing for college and for our careers. They taught us what to do before, during, and after an interview.
Then, they demonstrated what a successful interview looks like.
The girls had a chance to practice their interviewing skills with people who have jobs at Accenture.
Nisha Sharma
08.05.15
Managing Director of Accenture Digital, Nisha Sharma, taught us all about mobile applications during our mobile and web development week.
We went over what exactly “digital” means and how the new generation of technology is all connected. Regular household appliances are starting to become “smarter” in the sense that they will have sensors and we will have access to check their status’ remotely.
Then, we went over the difference between native, web, and hybrid applications — and the pros and cons of each. Lastly, we looked at how computer scientists store big data with cloud computing.
We will definitely be using this information for our final projects!
Alexis Maybank
08.04.15
Founder of Gilt Groupe inspired us to become entrepreneurs. She emphasized that a successful business requires constantly learning and improving from mistakes.
Justin Wohlstadter
08.04.15
CEO & Founder of Wonder showed us how Ask Wonder works as a user AND as a researcher. He encouraged us to aim for simplicity in product concept, implementation, and interface.
Justin one day hopes to see Wonder “ruling the world”. What Google did with information is what Justin wants Wonder to do with knowledge and we are inspired to build revolutionary sites like Wonder!
Accenture Front End Developers
07.29.15
Tamara, Mike, Katherine, and Mindy taught us all about web development using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Mindy, Katherine, and Mike empowering the girls to be powerful women in Computer Science!
Mike showed us how to use Leap Motion controller to play Flappy Bird!
Of course, we ended the day with the Tech Selfie Challenge!
Hsing Wei
07.28.15
Hsing Wei, from Games for Change and The Makery, inspired us to change our mind about coding. She believes that coding is really just a symbolic representation of meaning and artistry.
Hsing considers herself a “tinkerist” and loves to create new technological innovations. Here she shows us her wearable glove.
Because of her background in games, she left with one final piece of advice for the students on creating video games: play testing! She encouraged the girls to get suggestions and be open to change.
Kate Sicchio
07.20.15
Kate Sicchio, a professor at Parsons School of Design, inspired us with her interdisciplinary work in technology and art. Kate’s performance art pieces combine coding and contemporary dance — showing the connection between the two fields. She strongly believes that interdisciplinary work in Computer Science is necessary to push society forward (citing the decoding of the human genome as an example).
Her performance pieces include topics that the girls are currently learning:
- Variables
- Conditionals
- Loops
- Functions
Moreover, her work in wearable technology sync with what the girls are learning this week: robotics! Kate uses programmable prototypes like Arduino and the xOSC board in her wearables — which resemble the Fluke that the girls use to program their Scribbler robots.
Girls Who Code: Accenture NYC 