Creating your own video game would be a dream come true for any child and for a group of young girls in Derry and the North West, they are one step closer to creating their own unique video game.
The girls aged between 10 to 13 learned the skills necessary to code as part of a ‘Girls Make Games’ course which began in October of last year.
Funded by the Acorn Fund, the Department for Communities, The Honourable The Irish Society, and the North West Learning Fund, the girls learned how to design, make graphics, and code their own computer-based games.
They spent two months in the Social Enterprise Hub on Hawkin Street which provided them with a ‘no pressure’ environment to get to grips with coding and enhance their skills.
Activities such as coding can be especially stimulating for young minds, and as we mark Children’s Mental Health Week, it is important to highlight the various opportunities out there for youths of all ages.
The classes themselves also allow participants to make friends while building self-confidence, with collaborative working encouraged.
Katherine Rowlandson, manager of Kippie, who facilitated the event for the girls, explained that she was delighted with the progress the girls have made in such a short space of time.
She said: "The girls had a wonderful time, learning the basics of coding and how these skills can be built upon further to develop computer games. It was delightful to see their enthusiasm for the subject flourish.
"With classes primarily aimed at a beginner level, we have plans to hold further intermediate courses this year to allow our learners to take their skills to the next level."
Learning events such as these coding classes for girls are just some of the projects happening as part of Derry City and Strabane Region Learning City with the Lifelong Learning Festival due to take place this April.
Siobhan Quinn of Holy Cross College Strabane, and network member of Derry and Strabane Learning City, said: "The Learning City initiative is all about lifelong learning and we have a vital role to play in empowering our citizens.
"It is particularly important to encourage girls to consider STEM fields such as coding, where they are ultimately under-represented as a gender in the workforce.
"This is one way to help remove barriers to learning, make learning accessible to everyone in the region and crucially, make learning more enjoyable for all.”
Derry & Strabane joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2019.
A Learning City effectively mobilises its resources in every sector; promotes inclusive learning throughout families, communities and workplaces and fosters a culture of learning throughout life.
Derry and Strabane Region Learning City has received a wide range of applications for the Lifelong Learning Festival, which takes place in the Council district in April.
More details on the Lifelong Learning Festival can be found here.
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