At The Code Lab, we believe technology offers incredible opportunities for everyone, especially girls. Our GirlsCanCode! Programme focuses on teaching girls to create with tech, not just use it. We aim to equip them with the skills and confidence to shape the future.
Children interact with technology daily, from watching videos to playing games. However, we want girls to move beyond being users. We want them to become creators. This programme is our way of making that happen, and we’re excited to tell you more.
Importance of Encouraging Girls in STEM Fields
Let’s be real, tech is everywhere, and it is only getting bigger. Careers in STEM- science, technology, engineering and math are growing fast. But here is the thing: not enough girls are jumping into these fields. We see this as a challenge worth addressing.
When girls get into STEM, they bring new ideas and creativity. They solve problems in ways others might not think of. Plus, it’s just fair, girls should have the same shot at these exciting careers as anyone else. By teaching them coding now, we’re setting them up to be the women in tech of tomorrow. And trust us, the world needs more of them!
Joan McCann, Founder of GirlsCanCode!, Empowers the Next Generation of Digital Creator
The founder of The Code Lab, Joan McCann, is on a mission to empower girls through her “Girls Can Code” programme. With a BSc. in Computer Science and years of experience in the IT industry, Joan stepped away from her career to raise her four kids. When she couldn’t find coding or STEM opportunities for them, she created her own path.
Since 2018, she’s been teaching kids through coding courses, workshops, camps, and school lessons. In 2021, she went online to connect with girls across Ireland. As a woman who’s been there, Joan’s leading the charge with “Girls Can Code!” showing young girls they’ve got the power to master coding and take on the tech world.
What is GirlsCanCode! Programme?
GirlsCanCode! is The Code Lab’s initiative to help girls excel in technology. We offer coding workshops, online lessons, and school-based programmes designed just for them. From coding games to building electronic projects, we make learning practical and fun.
Our mission is clear: show girls that coding belongs to them, too.
Goals and Vision
We launched GirlsCanCode! to empower girls with technology skills. Our vision is a world where girls confidently create apps, games, and inventions. We don’t just teach coding, we inspire them to become innovators and leaders.
Every activity in the programme supports this goal. We use tools like Scratch and Micro:bit, which are easy to learn and perfect for building exciting projects. Our focus is on making coding accessible and enjoyable for every girl.
Hands-On Coding Experiences and Mentorship
We believe that kids learn best by doing. In our coding workshops, they code animations, design games and more. We guide them with clear, step-by-step instructions so they feel supported.
Our mentors, successful women in technology, play a key role too. They share their expertise, answer questions, and encourage girls to aim high. These role models prove that careers in tech are within reach.
Real-Life Examples & Success Stories
The GirlsCanCode! Programme changes lives. For example, there is a girl who joined us at age 11 and loved our workshops. She kept learning with us and now studies Computer Science in school. She plans to build a career in tech.
This shows how our programme builds skills and confidence.
Testimonials from Participants and Mentors
Here’s what participants and mentors say about GirlsCanCode!:
- Paula: “My 10-year-old daughter took classes with The Code Lab and absolutely loved the experience. She was fascinated by what she could create and how everything worked, with concepts explained in an age-appropriate way that made it both fun and challenging. We’ve tried many after-school activities, but The Code Lab stands out for striking the perfect balance of learning and enjoyment, keeping the kids fully engaged. She’s eager to sign up for more classes!.”
- Colette: “My daughter enjoyed a fantastic week of coding with The Code Lab. She found the video lessons more appealing than live ones, appreciating the ability to pause, rewind and replay them as needed. Overall, it was a great experience, and we had a blast playing the games together, our favourite was the one from Day 2!”
These words reflect our impact. Every girl who discovers her potential strengthens our commitment to this work.
Media Recognition & Community Engagement
Our efforts are gaining attention! FabConnectHer Europe featured an article about our GirlsCanCode!programme. They praised us for “breaking barriers for Girls in STEM in Ireland.” This recognition highlights the importance of our mission and motivates us to reach more girls. Read more about FabConnectHer and what they have to say about The Code Lab here.
How the Programme is Gaining Traction in the Tech Industry
The tech community is taking notice, too. Educators, parents, and industry leaders see the value of coding for girls. We’ve expanded into schools, starting with all-girls primary schools in May 2024, and continuing our outreach in the 2024/25 academic year. This step spreads our reach and shows girls that technology is for them, not just something they watch others create.
Award-Winning Girls Can Code! Project 2024
In September 2024, The Code Lab collaborated with Creative Spark, a local social enterprise, to deliver a “Girls Can Code!” Coding event for Meet And Code 2024. This project was grant-funded through the Meet And Code Program, empowering non-profit organisations with grants, resources and a community to host coding and digital skills workshops for youth across Europe.
Our Girls Can Code! Project was shortlisted in the GirlsDoIT category for the Meet And Code Awards 2024. Joan travelled to Berlin for the Meet and Code Awards 2024 ceremony, alongside Oscar Diaz from Creative Spark. We were thrilled to receive a Finalist Certificate, recognising us as one of the Top Three Finalists in Europe for our category.
It was an incredible opportunity to showcase our GirlsCanCode! project on a European stage, surrounded by innovative and passionate STEM educators from all over Europe.
Although we didn’t take home the top prize, being part of the finalist team at this level is an achievement we are all so proud of. This recognition affirms that Joan’s work as a STEM Educator with The Code Lab is making a difference and having a meaningful impact. It inspires everyone at The Code Lab to continue breaking barriers for girls in STEM, demystifying technology, and empowering all young people to embrace technology and see themselves as inventors and innovators of tech in the future.
How to Get Involved
Interested in joining us? Here’s how you can participate!
Sign-Up Process for Students
If you’re a girl eager to code, or a parent supporting your daughter, it’s simple to get started. Visit our website, The Code Lab and book a camp or buy an online course at your convenience. We welcome beginners, no prior skills needed. You’ll receive all the details to begin your coding journey.
Volunteer and Mentor Opportunities
Are you a professional who loves technology? We’d value your help! Volunteer to lead a workshop or mentor our girls. Your experience can inspire them and show what’s possible in tech careers. Contact us through thecodelab.ie to get involved. Together, we can guide the next generation of women in tech.
The Future of Girls in STEM
We’re building a bright future with GirlsCanCode! We envision a time when girls lead in technology, designing apps, coding robots, and solving big problems. Our programme plants the seeds for that today. Every girl we teach brings us closer to this goal.
Beyond skills, we give girls confidence. When they finish a project and say, “I did that!” they realise their potential. That belief will carry them far in STEM and in life.
Ready to be part of something big? Whether you are a girl who wants to code, a parent who believes in your daughter or someone who wants to help out, we’ve got a spot for you. Let’s make tech a place where girls shine bright.
Come join us at The Code Lab, and let’s code the future together!
