We had a great turn out for the Fall 2019 kick-off meeting for the RVC Girls Who Code after school club! The curriculum for Fall session is on game development. The girls will learn basic programming logic, multiple languages such as HTML, Python, and Javascript, and intermediate game development planning and implementation. Finally, they will each create a game focused on positive community topics like:

• How to be a good neighbor
• How to be a good friend
• Solve homelessness
• Anti-bullying
• Stop domestic violence

  #RVCGWC

We just completed the control drones with code section and used the celebration night to look back on what  they accomplished and look ahead on what is next. Our next section is Ozobots.

For fun the club members programmed drones, Ozobots and created a text to speech app. In addition, we took a group photo!

The language used to control drones can be Swift, Python, Javascript or Blockly. Since Blockly is a good platform to understand programming logic we started with that. We used the iPad app Tello EDU to create the code that controlled the drone.

The first app created to control the drone was what we called "Hello Drone"!  The code blocks used launched the drone, went up 100 cm, make a 360 degree turn, them finally land.

Every club member completed the app and successfully launched the Hello app.

Drone Skills in High Demand

Jobs in Drone technology are on the increase. This semester the Girls Who Code club will learn how to control drones with code. Drones are used in the following areas:

• First responder assessment
• Real estate photography
• Aerial photography for journalism and film
• Express shipping and delivery
• Gathering information or supplying essentials for disaster management
• Thermal sensor drones for search and rescue operations
• Geographic mapping of inaccessible terrain and locations
• Building safety inspections
• Precision crop monitoring
• Unmanned cargo transport
• Law enforcement and border control surveillance
• Storm tracking and forecasting hurricanes and tornadoes

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Tello EDU Drone
The Tello EDU drone teaches coding in Scratch, Swift and Python. Students can even program a “swarm” of Tellos if you choose (see video above). In addition to being able to program a single Tello or a swarm of Tellos, the drones come with new Mission Pads. These are unique guiding points that can trigger the Tello to respond how you want. You simply program the Tello EDU to respond when it flies over the Mission Pad.

for more information of Tello Edu Drones see https://www.ryzerobotics.com/tello-edu 

The Girls Who Code club focuses on learning different programming languages. We focus on language basics & the deployment process. Web apps and phone apps are the two categories we have focused on thus far.

This semester we are focusing on how code can control Drones, Robots, and Internet of Things Devices!

We want you to Raise Your Hand for Sisterh>>d:

The International Day of the Girl is on October 11th! The day celebrates the power of sisterhood and features influential women and girls in art, music, fashion, tech, politics, and more.

You can read more about our Sisterh>>d campaign here and follow along on Instagram.

​It's time to inspire the world with the power of girls.

Show YOUR Support by following below steps:

STEP ONE:
WRITE on your hand(s) how you support sisterhood and activism with an issue that you’re passionate about. See below for examples on how to Raise Your Hand for Sisterh>>d!

STEP TWO:
SNAP: take a picture or video for your social channel(s).

STEP THREE:
SHARE: October 11th - post your picture with #sisterhood #rvcgirlswhocode and tag @girlswhocode. Tag your friends who you want to participate.

 RAISE YOUR HAND FOR SISTERH>>D.

 Let's show the world what we're made of.

Over a dozen were in attendance for the Girls Who Code @ RVC Kick-Off Celebration last night! When the girls arrived they checked in the iPad with their QR Code Badge, changed into their new Girls Who Code @ RVC T-Shirts and participated in a group photo!

Thanks to all the parents who participated in the event (and photo!)

It's not a celebration without a selfie station!

Each semester the Girls Who Code @ RVC club members must decide on a community service project theme. Once a theme has been chosen, teams are created. The club members then start their journey of learning how to program. Finally, the club members take what they have learned and develop websites and mobile apps surrounding their community service project theme.

The community service project theme chosen this semester is: "Kid Volunteer Website/App". The idea is to create websites and mobile apps that allow local non-profits, businesses, and churches to submit volunteer opportunities for youth in our community. Local youth will be able to connect to volunteer opportunities  using these apps.

Media Contact: Dave Costello, 815-921-4516
E-mail: d.costello@rockvalleycollege.edu
Event Contact: Chuck Konkol, 815- 921-3164
E-mail: c.konkol@rockvalleycollege.edu

Event Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Event Time: 4-6 p.m.

“Girls Who Code” After School Club to Kick Off a New Semester

Rock Valley College will be celebrating the “Girls Who Code” after school club on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 from 4 - 6 p.m. by wearing new club t-shirts and taking group photos. 

Event is not open to the public but we welcome media to attend. The event will be held in the Woodward Technology Center (WTC) Room 1110, on RVC's main campus, 3301 North Mulford Road, Rockford.

Rock Valley College is the first Community College in Illinois to host an Official “Girls Who Code” after school club. In 2017, there were 40,000 members in the United States.

The community service theme project chosen this semester is "Kids Volunteer Website/App". Websites and mobile apps will be created to allow youth in the Rockford region access to volunteer opportunities posted by area non-profits, businesses, and churches.

Girls Who Code Mission Statement

Girls Who Code is a national non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology. Our programs educate, equip, and inspire girls with the computing skills they’ll need to pursue 21st century opportunities.

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Release date: 9/26/18
See Spring 2018 community service projects

The members did a great job of brainstorming ideas on community service project.

After the brainstorming session the votes came in and it was very close. However, the project idea chosen was "Girls Volunteer Website/App"