The library and the Challenger Learning Center will co-sponsor a Girls Who Club Intro to Coding series, meeting on Thursdays from 3:45-4:45 PM in the Computer Lab at the Bangor Public Library, from December 5 through January 16 (no meeting on December 26).

This introductory club is open to coders of any level in grades 3-5. The content of this club will be entirely beginner friendly - youth with no coding experience encouraged to join! Through the duration of this club participants will utilize Girls Who Code curriculum alongside Scratch programming to gain an understanding of what coding is, gain confidence in their ability to code, and learn how to turn a passion for coding into a career!

Participants will use library-provided devices, so no individual device is necessary. This club is free to participate in but space is limited, so advance registration is required. Please ensure you will be able to attend the majority of, if not all, session dates prior to enrolling. Register on the Challenger Learning Center's website. Please sign in or make an account, then navigate to "Challenger Programs 2025" then select "Girls Who Code: Intro to Coding Club."

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can join these clubs?
These clubs are intended for students currently in grades 3-5. These clubs are intended to inspire any female, female identifying, or non-binary students to find a place in coding. Any student of any gender identity is welcome.

Per Girls Who Code: “Our girls-first programming explores computer science through the unique experiences of women, girls, and non-binary individuals to break down social stereotypes and barriers, promote gender equality, and encourage all young people to see themselves as capable leaders and innovators in any field they choose to pursue. Girls Who Code takes a gender-specific approach to our programming. This means that our programming keeps the focus on girls and considers the biases that might impact their experience. GWC delivers this by providing girls with safe, girls-focused spaces and centering curriculum on women in tech so that girls can imagine themselves in computing roles. Any member–regardless of gender identity–who wishes to support our mission is encouraged to join the Sisterhood!”

What is the cost?
These clubs are free to all participants.

What materials will I need?
Participants will use Bangor Public Library-provided devices during the club, though are welcome to log in and continue the fun from their own devices at home. Students will also be engaging with the following books in club, but are not required to purchase these for personal use unless they are interested in using a copy outside of club.

Learn to Code and Change the World by Reshma Saujani
The Friendship Code by Stacia Deutsch

What will the club look like?
Participants will be working through the Girls Who Code curriculum, which involves linking both a fiction and nonfiction text to both "plugged" and "unplugged" activities to help teach students programming. Plugged activities will involve using scratch programming to create games, animated stories, art, music, and more. Unplugged activities are screen free activities that help solidify the importance of the skills they are learning as well as team build.

For more information, contact Sara at sraymond@astronaut.org or call the Challenger Learning Center at (207) 990-2900.