The Boston Python User Group

A project-driven introduction to Python for women and their friends

July 8, 2011 · 6:00 PM
Google Cambridge - 3rd Floor North End Cafe

Learn and practice Python basics with this project-driven workshop!

Audience: Women and their friends who have no or limited programming experience. This event is welcoming and respectful of trans women. Men are welcome as guests of women who are attending.

On Friday evening you'll set up your development environment and start learning Python through a self-directed tutorial and online practice problems.

On Saturday we'll spend the morning on a lecture-based introduction to the language, taking breaks to practice concepts on bite-sized exercises. In the afternoon we'll break out into groups to practice Python through short projects on a variety of fun and practical topics.

You must be able to attend both days of the workshop to participate.

Our goal is to provide an environment in which women can develop their programming skills with confidence. Our staff are predominantly women from the Boston programming and open source communities.

See the Workshop wiki for more information on laptop setup, lecture material, and the projects, as well as workshop logistics including parking and childcare.

Venue details

Google is hosting and sponsoring this event. They are at:

5 Cambridge Center, Floors 3-6

Cambridge, MA 02142

You will need to sign Google's standard visitor NDA upon arrival on Friday.

Friday evening: laptop setup and first steps with Python

6 PM to 9 PM: set up your development environment and start learning Python.
Things to bring: a wireless-enabled laptop.

Saturday: lecture and projects

9:30am - 10am: settle in and review Friday's material over tea and coffee, courtesy of Google!
10am - Noon: welcome and lecture-based introduction to Python with hands-on practice.
Noon - 1pm: lunch, provided by Google! If you have dietary restrictions, please e-mail us as you RSVP.
1pm - 4pm: projects.
4pm - 4:30pm: wrap-up and next steps.
Things to bring: the same wireless-enabled laptop from Friday.

Saturday projects:

using the Twitter API to write parts of a Twitter client
wordplay and how to cheat at Words with Friends
programming graphical effects for a ColorWall

Join or login to comment.

Eva Casey

Terrific event. I acquired a working knowledge of Python, starting from zero. The environment was friendly, relaxing and welcoming of questions.

0 · July 11, 2011
Barbara Varoutsos

I've never programmed before and this workshop was a great, no-pressure way to get started - What an incredible find! Instructors (volunteers from this meetup group) were dynamic, very knowledgeable and exceptionally patient; content was thoughtfully put together and well presented. Starting with the basics of setting up a coding environment on your laptop, the day and a half agenda was jam-packed. I was exhausted when it was done, and need lots more practice with what I've learned so far, but thanks to this great group of people I am more enthusiastic than ever to keep at it.

0 · July 9, 2011
Staphany Park

awesome. pretty high-speed, but totally worth it and lots of cool people :)

0 · July 9, 2011
Elena

Fabulous! Appropriate for anyone.

0 · July 9, 2011
Tessa Simonds

Heard about this project at the Sunlight Foundation open government meetup and I can't wait to attend the next workshop!

0 · July 8, 2011
Jessica McKellar

Hi folks! Thank you all for your interest in this workshop.

Waitlisters, stick around! We run this workshop every two months, and you'll get first dibs at the next run. We'll also hold a follow-up Project Night the week after the workshop which will have a lot of support for new Python programmers. Keep your eyes on the Meetup list for that event announcement.

0 · June 20, 2011