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Explore this page and its links to find fun activities and information relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (“STEM”)!
Meet Some Women in STEM!
Meet scientist Manuela Dal Forno
Meet mathematician Dr. Christina Eubanks-Turner
Meet engineer and robotics expert Carol Reiley
Meet marine scientist Dr. Brenda María Soler Figuero
Meet Some Impressive Women in STEM from Around the World!
Computing
Computer science is an exciting, ever-changing field that involves learning how computers and programs work. It represents a whole new way of thinking.
Computer science covers a large number of different topics. It relates to math because it uses analytical skills and the ability to solve problems. However, almost all science and engineering fields now use computer science. It is one of the most powerful tools used in all areas of STEM (not to mention everyday, modern life!). For example, physicists use computers to make models about situations that can’t be reproduced in the lab, such as what happens inside of stars. Biologists use computers to simulate different populations of animals and see what would happen if the environment changes in different ways. In addition, computer science includes the design and building of robots.
“Coding” (writing computer programs) is an extremely important part of computer science. It involves a coder, or programmer, telling a computer what to do. Like any form of communication, that happens using a particular language. There are hundreds of different programming languages that are used in different ways for different kinds of projects.
How Can You Learn More About Coding?
One way to learn more about computer science and coding, or programming, is through “Girls Who Code,” a nonprofit organization that aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science by equipping young women with the necessary computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. Here’s a link to Girls Who Code and some fun activities to get you started coding:
Girls Who Code – Code at Home!
On the “Girls Who Code – Code at Home” web page, look at some of the different activities for beginning programmers, like “Stand Up for Mother Nature.” In that activity, you can learn to code using “Scratch”: a free programming platform and block-based programming language developed by MIT that allows you to program interactive stories, games, and animations. On the Scratch site, look along the menu bar at the top and click on topics like “Explore” and “Ideas”:
Learn About Scratch
