When some people imagine coding, their mind conjures TV hackers: black computer screens, florescent green text and fingers flying across the keyboard a mile a minute. But that’s not the reality for Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library’s (BHML) weekly Girls Who Code club, which brings together past and present Bigelow scientists and fifth through eighth graders to learn the basics of coding.  

The club was formed in 2021 and caters to an underrepresented niche in the library’s programming: tweens/middle-schoolers. BHML Programs & Technology Manager Bethany Schmidt explained it’s hard to attract these students as academics and sports ramp up in that age range. This is partly why the program has remained small, but Schmidt said the low student-to-teacher ratio has the benefit of each child getting individualized attention. 

“Something that I’ve especially appreciated is how quickly the girls have learned and then proceeded to teach each other and ask each other for help. It's gotten to the point where I'm learning more from them, which is just so cool,” said Camille Ross, club co-facilitator.

Ross also pointed out how exciting it is to see what directions kids go with their creativity. The club uses “block coding” software, a drag-and-drop coding language that allows programmers to use coding “blocks” to create animated stories, videos, or games. While the group has been working on a game that teaches about the different kinds of plankton for the Maine Science Festival, the members have also been working on their own projects.  

For example, attendee Emma Scott is programming an animation featuring her favorite artist, Olivia Rodrigo, and fellow popstar Taylor Swift. 

Jackie Branch also created a Swift-themed game, “back when (she) was a Swiftie.” (Nowadays, she’s more of an Arctic Monkeys fan.) Branch has been involved in the program for about three years and has created 15 projects, from differently themed pong games, to loops of dancing fish, animations for her favorite TV shows, and more.

“(This club is) a way to get out of the house, hang out with nice people and do something fun," Branch said.

Getting kids interested in coding is the first step in the official Girls Who Code organization’s long-term mission “to close the gender gap in tech,” as per their website. As Ross explained, for students who may not have confidence in a traditional classroom setting: “Having these spaces that are dedicated for people who are not usually represented in (science and math) fields, where they can express themselves, feel open to ask questions and learn at their own pace is so important and really empowering.” 

Girls Who Code meets on Wednesdays, 4:15 – 5:15 p.m., October - May.