It was an opportunity for teenage girls to learn what it takes to work in technology, and for one group to share a touching tribute to Pulse nightclub shooting victims.

  • Camp teaches teens about coding and technology
  • A similar camp will be held in August
  • One group made a tribute to the Pulse nightclub victims

“We want to try to make the difference that we can," said Uma Menon, who participated in the weeklong coding camp. “It’s really important that we stop gun violence.”

The 12-year-old girl said she came to the camp, held at the Orlando Public Library, to learn about the language of code.

“It also involves girls, and how we can close the gender gap in the STEM field," she said, alluding to the bigger picture of teaching women to love technology. “We started learning about the coding platforms, like Python."

Twenty girls, ages 12-17, participated in the code school, sponsored by WeVenture of Central Florida.

“I want girls to have the opportunity to consider careers in technology, and I think I wanted to create a different picture for what they saw," said organizer Leslie Hielema, with The Orlando Center Florida Institute of Technology.

In the male-dominated field, Hielema joined forces with other local women in tech and roped in volunteers to teach the girls.

“I was like, absolutely, I have to be a part of this," said Cassandra Wilcox, Co-Founder and President of Code Hangar. "This will bring women out of the woodwork.”

Each group, comprised of several teens, picked a topic they would work on over the course of the week. One group decided they wanted to do a tribute to Pulse nightclub shooting victims and created an animated tribute, filled with information.

“Throughout we showed facts about the shooting, and about gun violence in general and how it can be prevented," said Menon.

Organizers said they were stunned by the girls' determination to tackle a tough topic, and overall dedication to the course.

“It represents how much it affected our community, that girls in this club who never met each other all connected," Wilcox said.

“I’m so impressed by these young women," said Hielema. “How they encouraged each other and supported each other, it’s been fantastic.”

A grant from AT&T helped organizers put on the camp for free. They will hold a similar camp in August, and in the future, want to teach women coding basics as well. For more information, visit: http://weventurecfl.org