After a week of prep and on-campus set-up, today I finally got to meet my class of Girls Who Code! Last week I wanted to tell you that they were all inspirational, tenacious, enthusiastic learners and that Day 1 went off without a hitch, but the delightfully flawed truth of our first day makes me even more hopeful for an amazing summer with this perfectly imperfect group.

20 determined, resilient, capable young women joined my class today, and it is my job and my privilege to guide them to channel that passion into coding. I’m no expert in CS, but as an undergraduate student, I like to think I am earning my expert badge in the art of learning computer science. 

I loved my APCS teacher and learned a ton in that class, and I will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to be introduced to CS as a high school student. However, because of the pace and breadth of the AP curriculum and the introductory nature of the class, my teacher was always quick to swoop in with guidance and explanations. When he wouldn’t answer my questions, typically my (brilliant) best friend could. And so I went to college with only that background in computer science - the subconscious assumption that when I struggled, someone would be there to explain, correct, and walk me through the “right” thought process.

I have spent my entire freshman year fighting and rewiring that instinct to reach for assistance when I cannot immediately solve the problem myself. I have spent this year learning to learn on my own, to seek out answers individually, to design and plan and build larger programs thoughtfully, and to solve problems not by having a TA walk me through them, but by bouncing ideas off my equally confused peers. 

This is what I hope to offer my girls this summer. A space and an opportunity to learn how to learn computer science; an introduction to the world of tech coupled with the affirmation that they belong there; and a love of learning, exploring, playing, failing, innovating, and creating that they can carry forward to whatever careers await them.

I saw school as an obligation until I got to college. Now, I choose to be here, and I study things I love. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a university student, to take several years just to focus on my education and personal growth, and to explore my passions. My girls are taking their summer to dedicate time to their education and personal growth and pursue their passions, and it doesn’t matter if they take time to get comfortable in class, or if we have to remind them to put their phones away, or even if they don’t always want to keep trying: they choose to be here, learning, and for that, they are amazing. Part of me hoped for a classroom full of eager, bright-eyed, obedient students who would follow every instruction and pursue every project at 110%. The class I met today was so, so much better: they were excited, grateful, rambunctious, tenacious, sleepy, nervous, silly, and brilliant. They were interested in things I love, and in things I know nothing about. I can’t wait to see what they can do.

If you’re a girl/woman in tech or interested in CS, reach out to me! I would love to use this platform to help the next generation of young women discover CS. Girls Who Code’s summer program is phenomenal, but the truth is, you don’t need to be part of a 7 week intensive in order to get started in CS, or become a girl who codes. You just need a lot of determination, a bit of willingness to fail, and a little silliness, to make something great.

“If you want to be proud of yourself, then do things in which you can take pride.” – Karen Horney

29/07/2021, Thursday.

The past semester was a tough one! A string of lectures, laboratories and projects left no time for anything else.

The past academical year had been intense. I was excited to start and afraid to fail. It is over now, if I look back I could not be more proud of myself! I worked hard and passed every single exam with the maximum score, I would have never thought I could achieve these results.

Catching up:

✔ Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory: exam was on the 1st June. It was the third and last part of an annual course! I do not have to think about it anymore.

✔ Advanced Analytical Chemistry Laboratory: my group and I had to make a presentation on the 2nd July, we focused on soil and water elemental analysis. It had been difficult to focus on the presentation having so much else to study! I do not know how, but we managed.

✔ Analytical Chemistry: Environments and Materials: it has been interesting to study environmental chemistry. Understanding the mechanisms nature uses to defend itself against changes offered me the opportunity to reflect upon the anthropogenic impact on earth. Exam was on the 21st June.

✔ Physical Chemistry: Catalysis and Materials: it was the hardest one. The amount of material was insane and I felt submerged by it! In addition to the regular study hours (6-9 h a day) I had to present a project. It consisted in a graphical abstract, the image summarised the development of a new material. I presented it on the 26th July.

I am on vacation till the new academical year, my mind is a swirl of thoughts on how I should spend my time… Should I rest 2 months? Should I prepare for next year revising old topics? Should I find a traineeship?

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value” - Albert Einstein

22/11/2020, Sunday.

University shifted to online classes two weeks ago, I am sad because I love attending lectures and the general university atmosphere! I am trying to study in advance and keep up with the program as we do it. Not anxious enough to be productive 24/7, but I am working way more than I was used to do in my undergrad.

The good news is: Laboratories are allowed! They are the most important and enjoyable part of the courses, only have 6 afternoons though… Better than nothing! 2 done, 4 to go

Personal life: S. moved in temporarily. It is the best option to keep seing each other during lockdown 2.0. Life with a “roommate” is going smoothly. I thought it would have been harder! It is to be considered that he keeps going at university in order to finish his traineeship, he’s out of the house during office hours (I still have my alone time)

“We may live in an age of instant messaging, instant gratification and Instagram, but there is no way to short circuit the path to success.” - Tory Burch

24/06/2020, Wednesday.

I did it! On 10th June 2020 I graduated

Since my last post I worked on my thesis (wrote it in English, which is not common for undergraduate students), completed the PowerPoint presentation and kept attending on-line lectured. K. (my supervisor) was extraordinary! Yes, she left all the work for the very last week (almost died of anxiety), but when she got into it she helped me enormously

When the day came, I was more excited to present my work than anxious. I was worried because my graduation was on-line, but everything went perfectly. Family and friends could watch the presentation on the university YouTube channel ☺️

Even if graduation is enough, I could enroll for the postgraduate lectures I wanted! Double the joy

The downside is I had no rest time. I had to start study right after… But I try to do my best, I hope to finish exam in July

Any advice for a postgraduate student?

Personal life had been inexistent, all my forces are in academia. Not a big loss because in Italy there still are restrictions. I kept working out, but I need to do more because spending all my time in the house drives me crazy

“A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers” - Helen Keller

04/05/2020, Monday.

Academical situation:

On the 21st April, I passed my last exam! On-line testing was better than I thought. It was quick and I got my grade confirmed (as the exam was only a part of a bigger one). Registering Physical Chemistry II grade meant registering my last undergraduate exam. Yes, I am done

I intend to apply for grad-school at the same university, many more exam to go. But, I closed a chapter. I am sad… Not because of the closing, not because of the changing… No… I am sad because I haven’t felt the joy of it, I haven’t felt different or relieved or anything…

Updates are on their way! Italy has entered phase 2 today, universities have high autonomy and during last week tons of meetings were made to decide and organise the following steps. I, a common student, have to wait few more days. By the end of the week, I will know what the future holds for me

Will I be able to enrol in two post-grad courses? Will I have to wait till autumn (and loose time)? Who knows.

While waiting for both updates and thesis correction, I keep up with on-line classes.

Personal situation:

I did 7 weeks of solitary isolation, it went extraordinarily good! I am surprised! Had ups and downs, but -overall- I am satisfied about how I adapted my routine during a difficult time. Especially due to the fact that I spent my study hours at university, and relaxed at home. Radically changing my habits has been a big turn

Today I saw S., we considered the risk (extremely low) and agreed upon seeing each other. My lonely time has come to an end! Seeing each other means -as well- that I can train at his place, with weights! Time to set up a new routine ️‍♀️

During quarantine, I listened to many podcasts (in italian)! They are my new passion, If anyone has suggestions on interesting ones (in italian, english or french) they will be welcome

“Being alone has a power that very few people can handle” - Steven Aitchison

15/04/2020, Wednesday.

Academical situation:

It is unlikely university reopens in this academic year. Officially, everything is closed till 3rd may. After that date, who knows? 

In these weeks, I rolled up my sleeves! I finished writing my thesis, sent it to my supervisor and I am currently waiting for the correction. The work is not finished, but the “creating from zero” part is behind me!

While waiting, I had my last exam scheduled on the 21st april. It’ll be held online, on a specific platform and I have to sign a from declaring that I am not cheating. Yesterday, I started revising and I hope everything goes on smoothly

In parallel, I am following online first year second semester postgraduate lectures (only two of them). I hope to be able to undergo the exams, even if now I can’t be sure! It does depend on bureaucratic matters, not me…

Personal situation:

I am on my 5th isolation week. I am doing solitary quarantine! It is not bad as it may seem, nobody interrupts while I work! And I can concentrate truly well. I do not feel lonely, but -of course- I have down moments! I may not be an extremely social person, but staying alone for 5 weeks is not good either

I created a new routine: I don’t get up late, kept my week day usual alarm (7h45 a.m.). I try to have my work done in the morning, or - in general- in the first part of the day. Thus, when I am done I know I can dedicate myself to my hobbies! 

The activities I want to do range from gaming to cooking, from reading a book to cleaning the house. I try to be flexible and do what inspires me in that moment. I still train, every other day. Home workouts are hard and makes me exhausted but satisfied! On rest days, I practice yoga (25-45 minutes, depending on my energies level). I made great progress with my flexibility and I am proud ‍♀️

After dinner S. and I watch a couple of a tv series episodes, we both have Amazon Prime Video and we manage to start at the same time, that way we are sync even if we live in different houses! We just finished  “The Man in the High Castle”, I highly recommend it

STEM Diverse Books for Grades 6 - 8+

STEM Diverse Books for Grades 6 – 8+

School is back in session, so it’s time to rouse those hungry minds with our STEM diverse reading list and collection! There’s something for every student within these vibrant stacks of books. Animals, architects, engineers, surgeons, economists, environmentalists, and more fill the pages of these engaging, diverse reads.
In this blog post, we’ve rounded up STEM books for grades 6-8+. You can…

View On WordPress