[mpw-staff] BPW sample email to systers

[Jessica McKellar]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jessica McKellar <jessica.mckellar at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Subject: The Boston Python Workshop for women and their friends
To: systers+new at systers.org


Hi Systers,

(While mostly for folks in the Boston, Massachusetts area, we'd love
to hear from anyone interested in programming outreach events for
women -- see below)

I'm pleased to announce that RSVPs are now open for the 5th Boston
Python Workshop for women and their friends:
http://meetup.bostonpython.com/events/42610202/

The Boston Python Workshop is a free, 1.5 day project-driven
introduction to the Python programming language for women and their
friends who have no or limited programming experience. It is run by
volunteers from the local programming and open source communities
every 2 months through the Boston Python user group. Men are welcome
as guests of women who are attending.

Check out photos and reviews of our previous workshop at
http://meetup.bostonpython.com/events/33124602/

* For women in the Boston area who want to learn Python: this is a
great opportunity to learn programming fundamentals in a friendly,
low-pressure environment.
* For women in the Boston area who know how to program: we are always
looking for volunteers to help with the workshop, and it's a great way
to gain experience teaching and lecturing on technical topics! We'd
love to hear from you on our staff list:
bpw-staff at lists.openhatch.org.
* For folks outside Boston: want to see an event like this in your
city? We have helped bring workshops like this to cities all over the
US. Get in touch at bpw-staff at lists.openhatch.org.

Below is the full event description. The workshop typically fills up
on the day of announcement, so I encourage interested folks to check
out the event and RSVP as soon as they can. To RSVP, first join the
Boston Python user group at http://bostonpython.com and then RSVP for
the event at http://meetup.bostonpython.com/events/42610202/.

Best regards,
-Jessica

--
Jessica McKellar
@bostonpython
http://bostonpythonworkshop.com

===

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.

On Friday evening you'll set up your development environment and start
learning Python through a self-directed tutorial and online practice
problems.

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.

Check out photos and feedback from our previous workshop.

You must be able to attend both days of the workshop to participate.

Our goal is to provide an environment in which women can develop their
programming skills with confidence. Our staff are predominantly women
from the Boston programming and open source communities.

See the Workshop wiki for more information on laptop setup, lecture
material, and the projects, as well as workshop logistics including
parking and childcare.



Venue details

MIT is hosting this event. We'll be in room 32-155 in the Stata Center
for both days of the event. See the venue section of the wiki for
directions and a map.



Friday evening (12/16): 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.

Saturday (12/17): 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.