Share in the fun by completing GIRLsmarts4tech post-workshop activities alongside your daughter
Create time with her each week to engage in technology related activities, tune into her feelings surrounding technology and discuss its impact on your lives. One way to do this is to dedicate specific time to this and we call it "Tech Talk Tuesdays," however, the engagement can take part on any day of the week as it best suits your family's schedule. You will find each activity outlined below.
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:
- What is a strong female character? Watch Tavi Gevinson, who had a hard time finding strong female, teenage role models — so she built a space where they could find each other.
- What does being a leader mean to a girl?
- Are companies just marketing to young girls with videos like Ban Bossy and Like a Girl, or do these videos focus on real issues that exist today?
- Does Mitch Resnick's TED talk encouraging kids to learn coding make her think differently about programming?
ACTIVITY: Discuss any technology events or groups that your daughter could participate in. Here are few to get you started:
- Girls Who Code, whose mission is to inspire, educate, and equip girls with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. Read about how Julia enhanced not only her life, but her father’s life with technology.
- Check out Ladies Learning Code for local events aimed at digital literacy for women and youth. They have events all across Canada.
- Join the Girls Inc movement online. As their parent, you can learn more about Girls Inc and what programs and activities they offer. Maybe even start your own local chapter!
- Explore Made With Code by Google to experiment with technology related activities, find an event and connect with other girls discovering technology.
- Join Girl Develop It to to learn web and software development through mentorship and hands-on instruction.
QUESTIONS:
- Explore the technology community options above and ask your daughter which one would appeal to her and why?
- Attend a local or online technology event with your daughter and ask her what the best part about it was.
- Ask your daughter to research other technology groups she could join and have her share with you what it is and why she wants to participate.
QUESTIONS:
- After she builds it, ask her to share with you her experience in building it. Have her teach you how to do it.
- Ask her what the best part of building the game was?
- Find out what she didn't like about the game and how she would change it for next time.
ACTIVITY: Ask your daughter to design and create a family blog about your activities. She could start a pet blog about an animal that’s come into your lives, or a personal blog to explore issues that are important to her.
For an awesome example of a personal blog, visit Claire Bear’s Blog to find out what this girl thinks about her world. In her own words, she is "trying to make the world better".
Use free software from the organization, Wordpress, to create the blog. Or check out this reference page to find others that might work for you.
QUESTIONS:
- Describe to your daughter what ‘technology’ looked like when you were in school at her age and ask her to write a blog that describes what she thinks technology will look like for the next generation.
- Ask her to share your most recent vacation experience. What was the best part about your vacation? What is the funniest moment?
- Is she into sports? Ask her to write a blog about her favorite sport and why she likes it so much.