THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELEASE
Vermilion County Troop 2053 earns Coding Basics badge through hands-on technology activities
ABOVE: Kathy Hunter, Professor of Applied Computer Science at DACC, with Girl Scout Troop 2053
DANVILLE, Ill. — Girl Scout Troop 2053 of Vermilion County visited Danville Area Community College this week to explore computer programming and work toward earning their Coding Basics badge with Kathy Hunter, Professor of Applied Computer Science.
During the visit, Hunter introduced the girls to microbits, small programmable devices that have Bluetooth and speaker capabilities. The Scouts were able to program the devices to light up and play sound. Using the free Microsoft MakeCode website at makecode.microbit.org, the scouts wrote simple programs and saw their instructions come to life on the devices.
“I like technology and learning something new,” said Girl Scout Karsyn Wise.
For fellow Girl Scout Catherine Dupree, the experience built on an interest in programming that began at home. “Ever since my dad pulled up a website on Google, there were these robots where you could use programming, and ever since then I wanted to learn coding,” Dupree said.
Hunter, who has worked with hundreds of students throughout her teaching career, emphasized that girls can thrive in computer science and information technology. “Girls make excellent coders. They bring creativity, curiosity and strong problem-solving skills to the table,” Hunter said. “The earlier we give them opportunities to explore technology, the more confident they can become about pursuing it in school and even as a career.”
The Girl Scouts’ Coding Basics badge is part of the Coding for Good badge series, which introduces girls to how computers work, how algorithms are developed and how coding can be used to solve problems. Experiences like this one help girls see themselves in IT-related fields, including software development, cybersecurity and other growing areas of technology.
Hunter also encouraged the scouts to keep practicing after their visit, explaining that microbits can be purchased online and programmed at home using the same website. The visit offered the troop an opportunity to earn a badge while discovering that coding can be creative, accessible and fun.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: Danville Area Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities, including admissions and employment. Inquiries may be directed to Jill A. Cranmore, Vice President, Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator, and Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Danville Area Community College, 2000 E. Main St., Martin Luther King Memorial Way, Danville, IL 61832-5199, 217-443-8756, or j.cranmore@dacc.edu.
Danville Area Community College is a comprehensive community college serving Illinois District 507, which consists of Vermilion County and parts of Champaign, Iroquois, Edgar, and Ford counties, since 1946. The College offers Associate degrees and certificates in both university transfer and applied career and technical programs. DACC’s historic, 76-acre main campus is located at 2000 East Main Street, Danville. The College has a higher-learning center in Hoopeston at 847 E. Orange. To apply to DACC, call 217-443-3222 or visit the Web site at www.DACC.EDU.
