Code Club Ambassadors
Meet our amazing Code Club Ambassadors
Meet our amazing Code Club Ambassadors
Code Club Ambassadors are people from the Code Club Aotearoa community whose everyday lives embody our mission: to give every kiwi kid the opportunity to learn to code, no matter who or where they are. Ambassadors represent Code Club Aotearoa for twelve months, during which they share their passion and knowledge with the community, both online and through outreach work.
I am a 13 year old from Auckland who goes to Diocesan School for Girls. I am a regular on YouTube as "Amelia cracks the Code" and on WhatNow. I make videos aimed at teaching younger kids; every child needs to learn to code, but girls particularly need more opportunities. I discovered coding 4 years ago when I was in a STEM school holiday program, The Mind Lab. I am fortunate that my dad works in IT, and he found me a club which was part of Code Club Aotearoa. After the first time I never wanted to stop.
Coding has taken me to so many places and given me amazing opportunities. I have met so many awesome people, including Dr Michelle Dickinson aka Nanogirl who is my biggest role model. Having a role model is important to inspire me, and I believe this applies to everyone.
I truly believe that every child should have access to technology and the opportunity to learn to code at school. We use STEM and coding in our everyday lives already, and technology will only become more advanced and used in a wider range of things. I also believe it's important that we break down the stereotype that boys are better at science and technology and girls are better at artistic subjects.
In the future I want to be a Mechatronic Engineer, somewhere like NASA or Rocket Lab. I love science and tech, and sing with NZ Opera.
I got into coding and technology for the variety. Technology is everywhere and you have the ability to combine technology with any of industry or interest. It’s a creative endeavor where you can use technology as a tool to solve real world problems in our community.
Four and a bit years ago I went to Christchurch for work and heard about Code Club. I returned to Wellington and I tried to find a local club for my 9-year-old son to attend. Turned out there wasn't one, and I thought – how hard can it be? Turns out that it wasn't very hard, and I kicked off the first Wellington club and I have been volunteering and advocating for clubs ever since.
Code Club is inclusive, accessible and community orientated. It’s a supportive network of people and resources. It is FREE which is a really unique thing for both kids activities and for tech activities. It’s the community the clubs create that make Code Clubs so special. Kids can learn skills with like minded kids, help each other and share their efforts and creativity with others who get how cool it really is. Teachers, kids, parents and industry learning together, stronger together.
