Library Events

Three sessions were conducted at the local libraries for 49, 38, and 53 middle school students respectively. In our library sessions, we progressed from fundamental concepts like variables, primitives, and strings to more advanced topics such as data structures, functions, and recursion. We covered a wide range of concepts, including:

• Computer Number Systems
• Stacks vs. Queues
• Abstraction
• Binary Search Trees
• Digital Circuits with Boolean Logic

Students were guided on how to draw circles of evaluation (borrowed from the Bootstrap curriculum) for mathematical expressions, and built prefix/postfix expressions by "walking the expression tree recursively." A local professor followed up with a mini-lecture on recursion and drew parallels from the circles of evaluation to fractal trees.

To complement the academic content, we incorporated interactive elements to enhance learning and engagement, including hands-on activities like circuit modeling with micro bits, collaborative work through code segment rearrangement, recursion tracing, and competitive learning through Kahoot! games. Students had a chance to present their unique solutions to challenges, which encouraged all participants to celebrate each other's unique perspectives. This double-angled approach aimed to make computer science concepts comprehensible and enjoyable, fostering a dynamic learning environment.

Challenges: We intended to make our initiative purely by-girls-for-girls, to establish a sense of community around all girls interested in STEM and programming. However, the library required our sessions to be made open to everyone, a challenge as there was a greater interest rate for boys than girls.