Lincoln East Girls Who Code Club was founded in October 2021 and has been thriving ever since. Meeting nearly every Wednesday in room 130E, the club’s mission is to close the gender gap in technology and computer sciences. Starting off the fourth quarter of the 2022-2023 school year strong, the club worked on designing their own websites at their meeting on March 22.

Typical meetings start off with a bonding activity to create an environment where the girls can feel safe with sharing their ideas. Then, the focus shifts to the main pursuit. Some examples include a STEM related project, such as taking apart phones and computers, or learning a specific curriculum, like coding. They then conclude the meeting by sharing their creations with one another.

President of Lincoln East Girls Who Code, junior Darian Kauk, has been part of the club since its establishment. She appreciates the community that has formed within the club, and highlights its positive nature through their ongoing project of website creation.

“My favorite thing we’ve done so far is when all of the girls got into partners and designed their own websites. I think it was a really great way for them to be creative and share their passions. And they also implemented working together versus independently,” Kauk said.

As a longtime attribute of the club, Kauk plans to continue her officer position next school year, and is already devising ideas to further grow Girls Who Code.

“I would love to expand this club into more hardware. We’ve been fundraising to get more hardware products so that our girls can experience different things,” Kauk said. “I also want to set up some company tours and get speakers to come in here to bring us new inspiration.”

One of the newer members of the club, senior Anna Tessendorf, loves being involved with Girls Who Code, and is upset when she has to miss a meeting due to her busy schedule.

“My journey with Girls Who Code has been interesting. I didn’t really start until the last meeting of last semester. I’ve been really wanting to get into it, but I’ve had dance team practice. But this semester I’ve gone for the majority of them, and I always look forward to it,” Tessendorf said.

No matter how many meetings you can come to, the club is open to all who have interest in its amazing, hands-on opportunities.

Kauk welcomes,

“Any girl that’s interested in going into any sort of STEM field; even if you’re not, just to join something that brings girls together in a positive manner.,” Kauk said.