Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code Sessions are Now Open for Registration for Grades 6-12!

Join a sisterhood of STEM with Girls Who Code, a place to make new friends and learn about computer science. Computer science is an expansive field that includes a way of thinking, planning, and problem-solving in addition to programming. This approach, called computational thinking, is the foundation of the Girls Who Code curriculum. Club students don’t just learn how to code but also cultivate strengths that help them succeed in whatever they pursue including bravery, activism, curiosity, resilience, passion, and resourcefulness. Students will learn about and from the women on our Women in STEAM committee and have the freedom to explore their interests and share this experience with their peers. Each session will be open to all skill levels, with each workshop having a different featured lesson.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to education@whitakercenter.org.

Girls Who Code runs from October to May in the PNC Innovation Zone. From October through December, our sessions will be held on Sunday afternoons from 1-3 p.m.; in January our schedule shifts to Saturday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. through the end of the school year.

Please Note: Science Center exploration before your session is NOT included in the workshop. Science Center tickets can be purchased at the Box Office the day of your workshop. 

Attendance to each workshop is free, but we highly encourage reserving a spot in advance to ensure availability, as there are limited seats.

Attendance to each workshop is free, but we highly encourage reserving a spot in advance to ensure availability, as there are limited seats. Visit the Box Office on the day of the workshop to add a ticket to the Science Center.
Please Note: Science Center exploration before your workshop is NOT included in the price of your workshop. You can purchase a discounted Science Center and/or Digital Cinema ticket(s) for the day of the workshop at checkout. Attendees may purchase a discounted ticket to the UPMC Science Center or the Select Digital Cinema for the day of their workshop at our box office. 
Discounted tickets for UPMC Science Center are $10. 
Discounted tickets for Select Digital Cinema are $6.

Plan Ahead & Secure Your Spot! We’re thrilled to offer engaging programs at the Science Center — and we want to make sure you don’t miss out! To help us prepare and ensure the best experience for everyone, we kindly ask that tickets be purchased in advance.

Please note: Programs require a minimum number of participants. If minimum enrollment is not met, we will notify participants two days before the scheduled date that the program is canceled. Early registration helps us keep these opportunities available! Consider adding a ticket for a friend or sibling!

Wizard’s Wish Game
Oct. 5, 2025

In this Beginner activity, you will learn the basics of Scratch, variables, loops, and conditionals, as you create a clicker game with a goal of catching a wizard-toad. If you can catch them 10 times, they will reward you by granting you whatever you wish! Let’s test your clicking speed as you aim to catch the wizard-toad!

What is DNS? 
Nov. 2, 2025

Learn about Domain Name Systems, explore the basic mechanics of how they work, and reflect on why it’s so important for smooth internet communication. Additionally, learn how and why threat actors use DNS spoofing for malicious purposes, then identify two practical ways they can protect themselves and their communities from attacks.

Welcome to Python
Dec. 7, 2025

If you’ve never used Python before, start here to learn more about this popular programming language. Python is a beginner-friendly programming language that you can use to create websites, games, apps, and much more, thanks to its easy-to-read code and versatile tools.

Intro to Ciphers
Jan. 3, 2026

Want to know how we can communicate privately over the internet? Learn how a cipher is used to encrypt data, or hide a secret message, and decrypt data, or unscramble a secret message to reveal its true meaning.

Welcome to HTML
Feb. 7, 2026

Have you ever looked at a website and wondered how it was built? In this beginner activity, you will learn how HTML is used to create every webpage you have ever visited, then build a simple website of your own.

Never Refuse to Reuse Game
March 7, 2026

Dive into loops and conditionals as you create a catch game in Scratch. How many milk cartons can you recycle before the time runs out?

Intro to Art and Animation
April 4, 2026

Dive into an immersive experience of 3D art! You will discover the transformative potential of p5.js as a dynamic tool to craft breathtaking 3D masterpieces through the art of coding, creating, and animating 3D shapes.

Online Privacy
May 2, 2026