[mpw-staff] Indy Python Workshop: childcare, sponsorship, and a re-announcement

[Catherine Devlin]

Hey, everybody - lots of news!

1. Fewer Hassles has stepped up as our childcare sponsor!  That's a
good thing to include in announcements, so here's a new, more detailed
announcement that includes that fact and a bunch more.

2. We still have several sponsorship slots open, and though I've sent
announcements to several companies in the area, I've done so without
any personal contacts to write to - which means it goes into the
general company inbox with all the spam... not a promising vector.  So
I still need your suggestions of personal contacts at area companies!
They don't have to be CEO or whatnot, almost any employee can pass a
message along.  And thanks again for bringing Fewer Hassles and
DirectEmployers in to help.

Much more to come!

Thanks,
- Catherine

*****************************************

What: A free, project-driven introduction to Python for women and their friends
When: Friday, April 13, 6pm-9pm, and Saturday, April 14, 9:30am-4:30pm
Where: Wyndham Indianapolis West (alongside Indiana LinuxFest)
RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/python-182/events/53792112/
Homepage: https://openhatch.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Python_Workshop
Childcare provided

--

Learn to program at the Indianapolis Python Workshop, April 13 & 14 at
Indiana LinuxFest!

The Indianapolis Python Workshop is a free, weekend-long introductory
programming event for women using the Python programming language. No
prior programming experience is required! Learn and practice
programming fundamentals through fun projects like building a Twitter
client and cheating at Words with Friends.   This workshop is
hands-down the best event in the region for learning to program in a
supportive, beginner-friendly environment.  While the focus is on
women, men are welcome to attend as guests.

===

Learn and practice Python basics with this project-driven workshop!

Audience: Women and their friends who have no or limited programming
experience. This event is welcoming and respectful of trans women. Men
are welcome as guests of women who are attending (please RSVP as
well).

On Friday evening you'll set up your laptop for programming and start
learning Python through a self-paced tutorial and online practice
problems, with tutors at hand for any questions.

On Saturday we'll spend the morning on a lecture-based introduction to
the language, taking breaks to practice concepts on bite-sized
exercises. In the afternoon we'll break out into groups to practice
Python through short projects on a variety of fun and practical
topics.

The workshop is run by women from the Indiana region and by leaders of
the famous Boston Python Workshop, which has already introduced
hundreds of women and their friends to programming.  Check out photos
and feedback from previous Boston Python Workshops:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bostonpythonworkshop

You must be able to attend both days of the workshop to participate.
We are working to arrange childcare for attendees; if you are
interested, please mention so as you register.

Our goal is to provide an environment in which women can develop their
programming skills with confidence.

Venue
-----

The workshop takes place at the Wyndham Indianapolis West (2544
Executive Dr, Indianapolis 46241) on the premises of Indiana
LinuxFest.  No Linux interest is required, but being at LinuxFest is a
great opportunity to see some of the open-source community up close.
In either case, please register for Indiana Linuxfest at
http://indianalinux.org after you sign up for the workshop (both are
free).

Schedule
--------

Friday evening (4/13): laptop setup and first steps with Python

6pm to 9pm: set up your development environment and start learning Python.
Things to bring: a wireless-enabled laptop (any operating system).
Contact us to arrange a loaner laptop, if needed.

Saturday (4/14): lecture and projects

9:30am - 10am: settle in and review Friday's material.
10am - Noon: welcome and lecture-based introduction to Python with
hands-on practice.
Noon - 1pm: lunch, provided by us! If you have dietary restrictions,
please e-mail us as you RSVP.
1pm - 4pm: projects!
4pm - 4:30pm: wrap-up and next steps.
Things to bring: the same wireless-enabled laptop from Friday.

Saturday projects:

Using the Twitter API to write parts of a Twitter client.
Wordplay and how to cheat at Words with Friends.
Programming graphical effects for a ColorWall.

We hope to see you there - please spread the word!  Also, we are
looking for event sponsors - please contact catherine.devlin at gmail.com
if you can refer us to prospective supporters.

Homepage: https://openhatch.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Python_Workshop

Sponsors
--------

Fewer Hassles (fewerhassles.com): Childcare sponsor
DirectEmployers (directemployersfoundation.org): Thumb drive sponsor

We are still seeking sponsors, at levels from $225 to $600.  Please
contact catherine.devlin at gmail.com for details.

-- 
- Catherine
http://catherinedevlin.blogspot.com