Thomas Threlkeld, a junior computer science major and Day Scholar at Rhodes, is creating a summer coding camp for middle school girls, thanks to a $10,000 grant he won from Google’s Ignite CS program. The program sparks interest in computer science for K-12 students, especially underrepresented minorities and girls. Camp Codette also is being supported by Rhodes’ Clarence Day Scholarship Program, which requires students to complete a service, research or internship activity in addition to meeting Rhodes’ rigorous academic standards.
The Rhodes College Department of Math and Computer Science will host three sessions of Camp Codette this summer June 1-July 10. Campers will learn app development, 3D-printed bead making, robotics, scavenger hunts, and much more. Rhodes students and Prof. Betsy Sanders will help staff the camp, and undergraduates involved will be mentored by a representative from Google.
"The computer science industry has been plagued for decades by what seems to be an ever-growing gender gap. With that thought in mind, our camp is designed to eliminate the mystery surrounding computer science and intrigue young women with the potential of computing and the excitement of problem solving,” says Threlkeld. “To accomplish our goal, Camp Codette uses cutting edge teaching techniques and resources to funnel campers’ inner creativity and productivity into a tangible and exciting product."
At the end of the week, there will be a tech demonstration for parents and friends showcasing participants’ work.
Those interested in participating in the camp should click here and complete the enrollment form.