[mpw-staff] BPW email to another tech outreach group for women

[Jessica McKellar]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jessica McKellar <jessica.mckellar at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 7:03 PM
Subject: Hello from the Boston Python Workshop
To: info at webstartwomen.com


Hi Web Start Women,

My name is Jessica, and I'm an organizer for the Boston Python
Workshop, a free intro to Python event for women run through the
Boston Python user group. As a fellow (sister?) organization working
to get more women into programming, we wanted to say hello!

1. I wanted to invite you to our next workshop, which is running the
weekend of December 16th, and to invite any web start alums who would
like to learn Python or help out:
http://meetup.bostonpython.com/events/33124602/

2. I saw your post looking for instructors in Boston, and the workshop
has a bunch of talented volunteers who I think might be interested in
helping. You also don't have a Python class yet, and we'd love to help
work out a Python curriculum with you, if you're interested.

Some quick links on us:
- our website: http://bostonpythonworkshop.com/
- the wiki for our next workshop:
http://openhatch.org/wiki/Boston_Python_Workshop_5. Our material is
all online and Creative Commons licensed.
- photos from previous workshops:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bostonpythonworkshop/
- Twitter: @bostonpython

Below is the event description for the workshop on the 16th.

I'd love to hear about how things are going with Web Start Women in
Boston, and to see if there are opportunities for the Boston Python
Workshop to collaborate with you.

Best regards,
-Jessica

--
Jessica McKellar
http://jesstess.com

===

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. 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/.

===

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.