Well-rested from the summer holidays, we kicked off the second Girls Code event at CAU with great energy on September 13, 2025.
Shortly before 10 a.m. on the ground floor of the building, there was a buzz like a beehive — 50 girls from grades 5 to 8 eagerly waited for things to finally begin. Some were even attending for the second time!
At 10:15 a.m., it was time: everyone gathered in the lecture hall, and the event started with a welcome and an inspiring talk by Andreea-Teodora Nasz (Teo), a computer scientist at VNG Handel und Vertrieb. She spoke about her personal journey in computer science, the challenges and opportunities in her daily work, and why setbacks are often the beginning of success.
Teo: “None of those amazing men wake up in the morning thinking, ‘Today I’ll invent a new device.’ Nope, they fail a lot too — boys are just more often taught to stick with it. So my message to you is: stick with it!”
A key message for the girls was: computer science isn’t dry or abstract — it’s creative, diverse, and full of opportunities to actively shape the world. Many inventions even happen by accident, like the microwave!
Teo was attending for the second time, simply because she has so much fun working with the girls — and because it’s never too early to start networking.
This creativity was then brought to life as the girls began programming in three different groups:
- Beginner Scratch Course: Visual programming
- Advanced Scratch Course: Visual programming
- Hedy Course: Text-based programming in German
Scratch is ideal for beginners: the colourful, visual programming language is perfect for trying out first programming ideas. Playfully, the girls made characters dance across the screen, created small games, and learned how loops, conditions, and variables work by piecing together colourful blocks. Those who already had some experience with Scratch could take on more complex projects in the advanced course and learn how to structure workflows and plan larger programs.
The transition to text-based languages was especially exciting for many. With Hedy, a language specifically developed for learners, this step is particularly smooth. Instead of immediately dealing with complex syntax rules, Hedy gradually builds understanding — and the special thing is, it can be programmed in German.
The programme was supported by a team of staff from the Department of Computer Science, who were always available to help when questions arose or when the computer didn’t behave as it should. This support played a crucial role in ensuring that every participant could successfully complete her project. The right atmosphere was also provided: laptops were supplied by CAU’s IT center, and snacks and drinks were available so that creative breaks could be spent recharging.
At the end of the day, many girls proudly presented what they had created in just a few hours: small games, animated stories, or their first programs in Hedy. But even more important was the shared experience — seeing that programming is something anyone can learn, and that trying new things together can be a lot of fun.
Sandro: “I think it’s super exciting to see how the girls implement their own project ideas and support each other.”
With Girls Code @ CAU, the university has created a space where girls can engage with programming early on — an important step in breaking down barriers and sparking enthusiasm for technology. Many of the participants expressed a desire to continue — whether at school, at the next workshop, or maybe even later in their studies.