Breaking the Code
The "Breaking the Code" summit is designed to explore how the representation of women in the gaming industry and participation in gaming-related STEM activities can influence young girls' self-efficacy and sense of belonging in STEM careers. This study specifically targets girls transitioning into grades 6 through 9, as research shows this is a critical period when many girls begin to lose interest in STEM fields. By focusing on this age group, the study seeks to understand how exposure to female role models and hands-on learning experiences can mitigate this decline in interest and foster a stronger sense of identity and belonging in the gaming community.
Thank you for considering a donation to support the Breaking the Code summit, a program dedicated to empowering girls in grades 6-9 to explore STEM and gaming careers. Your generous contribution will help ensure that this summit remains free and accessible to some of our most overlooked girls, opening doors to future opportunities in STEM fields.
Here’s where your donation will go:
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Student Scholarships: To ensure all girls can attend without financial barriers, your donations will help provide scholarships to keep the program free and inclusive.
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Teacher Compensation: Our amazing teachers are at the heart of this summit, guiding the girls through hands-on learning. Donations will help us compensate them fairly for their time and expertise.
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Venue Support: We are grateful to a local, renowned Esports Lab for hosting us, and your contributions will help cover venue costs.
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Food & Refreshments: To keep our participants energized and engaged throughout the summit, we’ll provide meals and snacks.
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Swag & Materials: Every participant will receive materials and swag to make their experience memorable and fun!
Your donation, no matter the size, will make a direct impact on the future of these young girls. Together, we can inspire the next generation of women in STEM and gaming! 💖
Support the Breaking the Code Summit! 🎮
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Dates: November 9th, 16th, and 23rd, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Ages: Girls transitioning into grades 6-9
Day 1: Introductions, Team Building, and Game Development
Theme: Building the Foundation and Crafting Stories in Games
Activities:
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9:00 AM - 10:00 AM:
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Introductions to the Summit: Overview of the summit’s goals and activities.
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Team Building Activity: Icebreakers and collaborative games to foster relationships and set the tone for teamwork.
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10:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Interactive talk on storytelling in games, focusing on how narratives drive game design.
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11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Lunch break
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12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Workshop on basic game development using Twine (a free tool for creating interactive story games). Participants begin crafting their own narratives.
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1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Storyboarding session where participants map out characters and plotlines for their games.
Day 2: Diversity and Representation in Gaming
Theme: Embracing Diversity through Gaming
Activities:
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9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Discussion on the importance of diversity in game characters and stories.
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10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Workshop on character design using free software like The Sims 4 (base version free) to create diverse and inclusive characters.
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12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch break
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12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Group discussion on representation in games and how it affects player experience.
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Participants brainstorm and outline their own game concept, with a focus on inclusive storytelling and character diversity.
Day 3: Game Art, Design, Coding, and Final Presentations
Theme: The Art and Code Behind Games
Activities:
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9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Presentation on game art and the basics of game design.
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10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Hands-on session creating basic game art using GIMP (a free, open-source image editor), focusing on developing characters and environments.
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12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch break
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12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Coding workshop using Scratch or Godot (a free, open-source game engine), focusing on simple game mechanics.
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Final presentations: Each group presents their game concepts, showcasing their artwork and basic gameplay.
