Intern Feature: Anna Zhang
Though it has been a few months, Girls Code the World is very excited to continue our Intern Feature Series! We are very excited to showcase Anna Zhang, a senior at The Pennington School in New Jersey, the same high school that our very own co-founders attended! Anna first became interested in computer science her freshman year, which sparked many exciting events throughout the rest of her high school career. When she first discovered her love for the subject, Anna joined the computer science contest team and has been a member ever since, where she was invited to the finals last year. To further explore her interests and passion for STEM, Anna is also involved in the Applied Science Certificate Program, where she is able to listen to many guest speakers in the STEM fields. Anna was even given the opportunity to present her very own Machine Learning glucose prediction project to her classmates.
Anna mainly works on compiling the latest events of Girls Code the World into our biweekly newsletters and sending them out to our subscribers. “I view the newsletter as a means to stimulate curiosity and encourage STEM involvement among girls,” she says; Anna also includes relevant information and breakthroughs in the STEM community, podcasts, study tips and scholarship opportunities for students, Women in STEM Spotlights, and more.
“I joined Girls Code the World because I am passionate about science and engineering, and I would like to share my enthusiasm for STEM with more girls in my local areas. The pandemic might have hindered the process of us working together physically, but I would like to use the newsletter as an effective means to keep our subscribers updated on any new information and to potentially bring people closer together.”
-Anna on why she joined Girls Code the World
Anna has been an extremely helpful intern in many different ways. Last summer, she helped make lesson plans and guide the curriculum for a Girls Code the World coding class. This opportunity helped Anna realize the many different ways Girls Code the World helps young girls acquire different STEM skills early on. The classes and programs help girls of all ages become a leader in the field, both conceptually and practically. Working with Izzy and Molly on a weekly basis to compile the contents of the newsletter also keeps Anna up-to-date on the many opportunities provided here at Girls Code the World, such as the Speaker and Presenter opportunities for high school students and the Philadelphia Summer Program. Anna loves to see how these creative opportunities can empower girls.
Our mission at Girls Code the World is heavily reflected through our interns' reflections when they are asked about why they feel this association is so important. Anna thinks about how hard everyone involved works to encourage young girls to pursue their dreams in STEM and break any stereotypes and stigmas they may encounter. Not only does it help out our young girls, but it instills confidence for leadership for our high school and college interns. The unique and hands-on approaches help our leaders get involved in a field in which they are interested. Anna says that this has become a safe space, and she really enjoys working with the Board of Directors. From the start of her internship, she had hoped to create a newsletter, and Sydney and Mina could not have been more supportive when Anna first approached them with the idea. They helped Anna connect with more people and get set up with the right resources, and she is extremely thankful for all of the support Girls Code the World has given her.
“I think Girls Code the World provides a safe and positive learning environment for girls and is a great platform to be involved in various activities and programs and get deeper insights into STEM. The people I work with are very bright and always ready to provide me with their thoughts in the brainstorming process.”
-Anna on her favorite part of Girls Code the World
We are extremely appreciative of everything Anna has done for Girls Code the World, and can’t wait to see what other amazing things she accomplishes at Duke University this fall as she continues to further her love for STEM studying computer science.