“Girls Who Code” Coming to Florida Tech

Anika Ahmed has always been a strong advocate for girls and women pursuing STEM careers.

“There is something about STEM that empowers women, both emotionally and financially. That is something a lot of women can testify to,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed was very involved with girls-in-STEM, activities in high school and has continued her passion at Florida Tech. She fortuitously bumped into a nonprofit group that teaches coding skills to young women: Girls Who Code. Ahmed was immediately inspired.

“I’ve noticed a vacuum in inspiring young girls into STEM, especially coding environment, that this club would try to fill.”

Inspired by Girls Who Code’s founder, Reshma Saujani, Ahmed is starting a free after-school program at Florida Tech for sixth- through 12th-grade girls.

“Girls Who Code is completely volunteer based, so it gets tricky. I was fortunate enough to find Rita Willcoxon, a retired NASA employee, who’s already doing STEM outreach programs with almost 17 schools here, in Brevard. With her help and experience, we’re trying to launch this club into different schools here.”

Ahmed knows Florida Tech would be a good place to foster the club because of its many engineering clubs and women pursuing STEM careers. She hopes the program will be up and running at the Evans Library by November.

If you are interested in volunteering or enrolling, please contact Anika Ahmed at anika2605@gmail.com.