Free Computer Coding Days
Flinders University is offering free workshops to help more girls from Year 7 to Year 12 gain programming skills. The event is run in partnership with the Girls Programming Network (GPN) which has been running since the 1990s in NSW and now operates in Victoria, ACT, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia.
More than 40 high school girls and others are invited to register for this month’s first GPN at the University’s Tonsley campus. The attendees will be given targeted support in key areas, from beginner to intermediate and advanced levels.
Dr Marissa Bond, who will lead this month’s event (22 March) says early engagement can improve girls’ pursuit and interest in computer science - one of many areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in which women are under-represented in the workforce.
“Students don’t need to have any programming experience to come along. We’ve got something for high school girls of all levels.
“We’ll cover the basics if you’re new to Python and show you some extra cool stuff if you’re already a programming pro. This term we’re learning about AI by using Markov Chains to train a computer to make a sequel to Green Eggs and Ham or the lyrics to the next hit Taylor Swift song!”
Along with tailored coding activities, the activities aim to augment and support girls’ experience in programming.
“Programs like GPN are about more than just code - they're about belonging, confidence, and seeing yourself in tech. The workshops are fun, supportive, and a great first step,” says Dr Bond, a lecturer in computer science at Flinders University.
“Young people who are curious about technology, enjoy problem-solving, or want to see what studying computing or engineering at university can enjoy a mix of coding, screen-free games and learning in a genuinely fun atmosphere.”
Student Amelia, 15, says she looks forward to learning more about coding from expert tutors while “also making friends with people with similar interests as me”.
The full-day sessions are run by IT professionals, including Dr Bond and fellow Flinders lecturers Dr Amy Trang Nguyen and Dr Asara Senaratne, along with volunteer university students, teachers, parents and coding experts with a wide range of experiences with programming.
Professor Giselle Rampersad, the Dean (Education) at the College of Science and Engineering, says Flinders University is supporting the GPN initiative to “help address the uneven representation of women across STEM fields, particularly in computing.
“Importantly, it enables girls to connect with like-minded peers and be part of a community that can affirm and strengthen their interest in STEM into the future,” says Professor Rampersad.
The Flinders program partners with Tech Inclusion, whose sponsors include Atlassian, Commonwealth Bank and Amazon. It is open to all Year 7-12 students who identify as girls or as gender diverse (including trans and non-binary students).
Register at the Flinders University webpage: https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/high-school-students/gpn for other dates in each school term this year
(24 May, 23 August and 1 November 2026)