FOCA Stem Day 2023 – Overview

On March 9th, students of First Odessa Christian Academy in grades 6 through 9 participated in STEM Day. Between the hydroponics presentation and egg dropping competition, students were treated to an engaging and informative presentation by IBG software developer Sara Baqla. Baqla spoke about the ins and outs of software development, the software development life cycle, and the various roles in the tech field.

Students were shown a video of real software developers giving insights into their jobs. This video gave the students a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a software developer and helped them understand the wide range of roles available in the tech field.

After the video, Baqla opened up the floor for a Q&A session. The students asked a variety of questions, ranging from training requirements to job pay and job hours. Baqla answered each question in detail, giving the students a clear understanding of what it takes to become a software developer.

To conclude the presentation, Baqla led a fun and interactive activity using playing cards to introduce the concepts of algorithms, loops, and conditionals. Students were divided into teams and had to follow a provided algorithm that included conditional statements, resulting in different points earned. This looped for every student in the team. Additionally, students were challenged to create their own algorithm to earn team points. This hands-on approach not only helped the students understand the basics of programming but also made it an enjoyable experience.

Overall, the presentation was a great success. Baqla’s engaging and interactive approach helped the students understand the basics of software development, and the real-world insights from the video and Q&A session gave them a clear understanding of what a career in the tech field entails. The students left the presentation with a newfound appreciation for the world of software development, and many expressed interest in pursuing careers in the field in the future.

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