Summer Girlz Coding Campers Cruise Drones Through an Obstacle Course
Article by: Jason Houlihan
On July 25, 15 campers in Del Mar College’s (DMC) Smart Girlz Summer Coding Camp demonstrated the skills they’ve learned to fly Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drones, and navigate them through various obstacles.
The all-girl, week-long camp is designed to spark interest and increase the number of students who will pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies when they attend college. It’s the first year DMC has offered the camp.
Our goal is to introduce these girls to careers that involve math and science and make them aware of the various opportunities that exist in this job sector.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2020, there will be over 1.4 million jobs in computer science. But America’s colleges and universities are on track to produce less than a third of graduates qualified for those jobs, and a small fraction of that number are women.
During the week-long camp, the campers learned from licensed pilots how to work as a team to program and code robots, get information on why STEM fields are key to the future and learn what it takes to operate drones. They got a hands-on introduction to innovative products like SmartGurlz – an award-winning robotic e-learning platform that introduces girls to the basics of computer programming, or coding.
“Our summer coding camp not only provides awareness but also an opportunity to show these girls how to be successful at programing robots and how to operate a drone. We work hard to create a safe environment and support these girls to try new ways of thinking and to take risks,” explained Betz.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.