CTE, SCC and NMNWSE

Last week was a very busy week for us at YWiC! On the Thursday night several of us went to Onate High School to speak to incoming eighth graders about pursuing degrees in Computer Science. With enthusiasm and go-to attitudes we introduced the budding high schoolers to Computer Science with engaging Alice games (designed by previous YWiC campers) and fun Pico Cricket examples like the banana piano. The students had a blast experimenting with the Pico Crickets, and they all seemed determined to beat the Alice video games. We also answered any Computer Science questions the students and parents had, and encouraged them to take some Computer Science classes during their high school careers. We wanted to make sure the students would see how fun and exciting Computer Science is, and I say: "mission accomplished!"

One of the Alice videos we showed at Onate High

On Saturday we were double booked at NMSU for the Super Computing Challenge interim judging and the New Mexico Network of Women in Science and Engineering meet and greet. Good thing the buildings were right next to each other! We decided to split up in classic Scooby Doo fashion, but rather than looking for clues, we reviewed Super Computing projects and networked with amazing technical women from New Mexico. Those of us who judged the Super Computing Challenge projects had a great time providing feedback and project insight to students who are sure to be the future of CS; we saw some really awesome projects concerning environmental and health issues in New Mexico. After the interim judging was done, we all got back together at the NMNWSE meet and greet for light refreshments and stimulating tech conversation.