Rails Girls Rocks

by Startacus Admin

Just a few weeks ago, a video released by Code.org went viral. Featuring tech luminaries such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, its core aim was to spread the word of how important it is for young people to learn how to code. Of course it’s not just young people who can benefit from learning how to code - we all can.
So whenever we hear about a project or initiative that aims to inspire, motivate or teach people how to code we feel duty bound to help spread the word.
The latest such initiative to come under the Startacus radar is Rails Girls- bit of a clue in the name there - this one’s for the females amongst us.

What started out in 2010 as a solitary event in Helsinki has now expanded globally - Rails Girls has now been held in over 35 countries across the world.

The basic philosophy behind Rails Girls is to open up technology for girls and women and empower them and prove that coding is not just for men! Through a whole host of events and workshops, Rails Girls teaches women how to code using Ruby on Rails - the open source web application framework for the Ruby programming language.
Participants don’t have to have a technical background or in fact any previous coding experience, but instead simply ought to have a genuine enthusiasm and passion for technology.

The really great thing about Rails Girls though is that it can be done absolutely anywhere. Their website provides a detailed guide on how to create a Rails Girls chapter where you live - covering everything from how to attract attendees and coaches through to how to choose a venue. Every practicality is covered!

Check out the Rails Girls site for details on all the events planned for this year and of course for all the info should you wish to start a chapter in your town or city.

We reckon initiatives and movements like this ought to be supported with open arms, don’t you? With this in mind - Check out our interview with James Whelton Co-founder of Coderdojo - the global movement of young people learning to code. 

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• #coding
• #inspiring
• #technology

Published on: 8th April 2013