Vodafone Foundation, UNHCR, ITU
Kakuma, Kenya, 2016, April 28
INS Technology for Girls Boot camp and Girls in ICT day event
Instant Network Schools (INS) program is an initiative of UNHCR and Vodafone Foundation in collaboration with educational partners - where child refugees and teachers are provided with access to technology supported educational experience. UNHCR is committed to the education and protection of refugee children, as enshrined in its education and protection policy frameworks. UNHCR's 2012-2016 Education Strategy is anchored on ensuring the provision of refugee education as a core component of UNHCR's protection and durable solutions mandate. Quality education enables refugees to live healthy, productive lives and builds skills for self-reliance.
INS technology for girls' boot camp was a practical workshop on chosen topics in technology. Led by subject matter experts(female volunteers), the boot camp offered the girls the chance to learn something new or finesse existing skills while mingling with peers, forming new relationships and networking with women professional from Vodafone foundation and Huawei.
Boot Camp 23rd - 28th April 2016
During the camp session, the girls were able to listen to 3 online guest speakers, they also participated in technology virtual tour of Huawei and Vodafone offices and learnt through hands-on experience activities that were expected to:
• Expose them to the hard and soft skills that would enable them be successful in the technology industry;
• Dispel gender based stereotypes on the Technology and high-tech industry;
• Get more women in IT roles as it is not only good for women – but also for the entire community;
The girls were taken through hands-on learning experiences and thought-provoking exercises that promoted creativity and innovation, and inspired them to discover IT related careers.
Plan of activities
- 24/04/2016 Introductions, registrations, fundamental skills in computer
- 25/04/2016 Group work on selected module - introduction
- 26/04/2016 Group Activities - hands-on sessions with breaks for meals and energizers
- 27/04/2016 Groups finalize on their product
- 28/04/2016 Girls in ICT celebration with presentation rounds for teams to showcase of their work, Awards, networking and speeches.
Modules /Camp activities
All the participants were taken through the basic computer fundamental skills, and then divided in 4 teams. The main focus of the 4 curriculums was on the growth of the girl as a maker, creator, innovator, and person who is fully equipped to handle any challenge that may come as our world adapts and changes to new technology.
Module 1: Website development
Tools - HTML5, CSS3
Coach/Mentor: Habiba Osman
The coach introduced the girls to basic concepts, terminologies and techniques on how to design and create a simple website using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheet). At the end of the boot camp the girls were able to plan and develop a simple multi-page's website.
Topics covered:
- Introduction to web Design
- Stages in web Design
- Elements of a web page
Module 2: 3D modelling and 2D animation storytelling using scratch
Tools: Google sketch up, Scratch
Coach/Mentor: Jessy Volonte Inga.
Introducing this module, the coach encouraged the girls that 3D modeling, animation and printing has become very affordable and businesses are turning to this useful technology more and more every day. 3D modeling is a great way to visualize any product, process or service in a more visual and easy to understand.
At the end of the boot camp, the participants were able to demonstrate what they leant by modeling simple school compound (classrooms) using 3D software – google sketch up.
Topics covered:
- Introduction to 3D
- Difference between 2D and 3D
- Introduction to 3D modeling softwares
- Introduction to 3D modeling concept: Faces, edges, vertices, X,Y, Z Axis
- Modeling terms: rotate, scale, push/pull/extrude, sculpture, duplicate, orbit, texturing, rigging, lighting, move
- Project: Building 3D models – a school and home.
2D digital storytelling
The girls in this team also learnt 2D concepts using Scratch. Scratch programming module introduced the girls to the essential building blocks behind object-oriented programming through creating fun, interactive stories and simple games. The girls were encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and learn programming basics with Scratch through interactive storytelling.
At the end of the learning activities, they were able to Create their own interactive 2D animated stories in scratch. The theme of the stories was majorly on peace deal in Southern Sudan and importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the community.
Module 3: Real world programing using Robotics and Adruino Circuit Boards
Tools: Arduino boards, RoboMind, Scratch
Coach/Mentor: Bahana Mirindi
Using programmable robots, programmable hardware like Arduino circuit board and raspberry Pi, this module aimed to help the girls get started with real world programming - internet of things (IOT).
At the end of the camp, the girls we able to demonstrate their understanding of coding concepts such as sequences, looping, and conditionals by making programs to guide an animated robot through a series of puzzles, mazes, and challenges.
Module4: Digital Media
Tools: Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Premiere Elements, Audacity
Coach: David Muya
Digital Media module gave the girls the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of digital media topics from photography to video production, filmmaking to radio programming.
The girls were able to learn the latest digital media tools, with an emphasis on
• Storytelling and composition skills,
• Storyboarding skills
• Writing & photography skills
• Digital footprint and social media usage skills
• Radio & video production
At the end of the camp, the girls were able to plan, shoot, edit and publish a video and their photographs using the tablets from the INS kit. They also prepared a short radio program on interviewing the camp participants.
