DigiGirlz – Microsoft
On Friday 1st December 2017, a group of eleven Year 8 girls were given the opportunity to visit Microsoft Headquarters in Reading for a worldwide event called “Digigirlz”. The event is aimed at dispelling the myths that girls cannot code computer programs, work within the IT industry and that big companies like Microsoft, Google, etc. only want boys to work in the sector. We were one of only 20 schools in the UK to visit.
An early start at 6am was needed to get ready for the day’s events which included a guided tour of the campus, hands-on displays, live technology demonstrations, careers advice, Q&A with Microsoft CEO Cindy Rose and the opportunity to ask a female intern and apprentice staff questions about what they do, why they enjoy it and lots more!
The main activity during the day was to design a solution to the issue of road safety outside our school by coding BBC Microbits – and as expected the creative juices got flowing immediately – eventually bringing together a selection of designs from our three groups which involved robotic barriers, getting Microbits to communicate over Bluetooth to each other and even making use of a full digital camera to represent a speed camera.
The day was rounded off with a live dance competition using an Xbox One, Kinect and a theatre full of about 180 students. The atmosphere was electric!
A huge well done to all our girls and to Mr Willis for organising the trip and for Mr White for his support on the day.
For more pictures of the day check out the Computer Science Department on Twitter @kngscompsci