Creating girl geeks

[AreaCode7O7]

Trying to set my younger sisters up with some skills to give them an edge in the real world, so I'm considering "hiring" them to learn SQL Server, php and JavaScript and then build a little web app. Real work, real money, real milestones and deadlines. I have yet to see if they're interested, but I'm hoping they'll buy into it.

They're 13 year old twins (ask for pics and I will remove your eyes with a fork you sick fvcks ) and I'd like to get them beyond the RPG Maple Story and into doing something actually worthwhile with their screen time.

Other suggestions on good ways to get young girls involved and interested in technology early on? They already built and maintain their 4H club's website and do their club presentations in PPT. I'm hoping to nudge them into that next step, since a little understanding of object oriented programming concepts will take them a long way.

[edit] The idea of SQL is taking the most bashing. What else could I use to introduce them to DB concepts that would be more accessible?

 

[RichardE]

Hmm, I came in here with a joke..but since they are 13, I'll wait 5 years.

 

[Chryso]

pics of joke?

 

[axelfox]

Remember, they've got to like and enjoy it. Otherwise, you'll just breed resentment.

 

[cheezy321]

pedo bear says ban!!

 

[Beev]

Surrounding them with technology is a great way really. If they don't like it though, they won't no matter how much you force it on them. I was surrounded by baseball growing up. I hated it then, I hate it now. Can't change how people feel.

Since we can't ask for pics, can you give us an IOU for them when they turn 18?

 

[PieIsAwesome]

I became a computer geek because I wanted a comp that could play games in middle school. Give them games, 13-year-olds don't care about boring javascript.

 

[Dear Summer]

pics of girls? I'm 15... I "swear"

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: axelfox
Remember, they've got to like and enjoy it. Otherwise, you'll just breed resentment.

I'm hoping that the hiring thing will be a good motivator. One recently bought a cheap laptop with money she saved herself and the other one is saving to the same ends, plus they pay half for all their 4H club entry fees.


They compete with their horses pretty much every weekend spring through summer, and that can get pricey. If they can do a few hours of study/work a week and make their entry fees plus a little savings, maybe that will make it worthwhile.

Any suggestions on how to make it fun for them?

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: PieIsAwesome
I became a computer geek because I wanted a comp that could play games in middle school. Give them games, 13-year-olds don't care about boring javascript.

The problem is that most 3 year old stock computers can easily play the games they play right now. No motivation to learn, just log on and zone out.

I thought I'd have them write a little app for our uncle who does real estate appraisal - just something where he can track his clients, photos and reports. He's a complete no0b when it comes to computers but is very appreciative; maybe I can promise them a trip to California (back where they grew up and still have friends) to train him when they're done.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: RichardE
Hmm, I came in here with a joke..but since they are 13, I'll wait 5 years.

bah, is this the new joke for the pedo's?

 

[lifeobry]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Any suggestions on how to make it fun for them?

No clue. I took a C++ class in HS and wanted to stick forks in my eye.

 

[Descartes]

Sounds like a good idea to me so long as they're interested. My guess is they won't be interested unless you're asking them to create a Zac Efron (is that his name?) fansite.

As far as to how to make it fun, I'm at a loss. If you don't enjoy the nuances of learning things about PHP, there's nothing you can do to make it fun. It's lonely, high-concentration work at anything but the most superficial level. Either you like it or you don't, imo. Learning SQL Server has to be about the most boring prospect I've ever heard of in my life, and this is coming from someone that thinks they know more about SQL Server than Microsoft (only half kidding).

"Hey kids, let's play with TSQL!" I just can't think of how that could be fun. "Today is join day. Learn to contrast left/right and inner!!"

 

[Anubis]

i dont think you could pay me enough money to learn SQL server. Im all for getting people more involved with tech but SQL is the wrong place to start.

You say the do things with horses, how about starthing them with webpage creating and pic hosting/editing

 

[DarrelSPowers]

OP, speaking as an engineering student, you are doing a noble thing.

 

[an51r]

Why not teach them some flash and java with the final intention being making some simple games. It may keep them interested enough along the way knowing the reward at the end would be fun for them, especially to show to there friends and such.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

SQL isn't going to help them much unless they become software engineers... PPT skills however are useful regardless of skill set
-AE

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: Anubis
i dont think you could pay me enough money to learn SQL server. Im all for getting people more involved with tech but SQL is the wrong place to start.

You say the do things with horses, how about starthing them with webpage creating and pic hosting/editing

Suggestion for an alternative to SQL Server?

They built and run their 4H club webpage, including hosting the pics and have a very basic knowledge of Photoshop. I'm hoping to bump them up from educated end-users.

The one thing you can never breed out of young teens is downloading all the smileys and crap on the internet. At least I got them to stop sending me forwards and start checking Snopes!

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Anubis
i dont think you could pay me enough money to learn SQL server. Im all for getting people more involved with tech but SQL is the wrong place to start.

You say the do things with horses, how about starthing them with webpage creating and pic hosting/editing

Yeah, I agree. Maybe give them a simple site where they can upload pictures and make very minor updates. Asking them to jump into JavaScript, SQL Server, etc. just doesn't make any sense.

It takes a special kind of geek to really want to start with something like C, C++, etc. When I first started around that age, we didn't have websites and all the other instant gratification options out there.

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
SQL isn't going to help them much unless they become software engineers... PPT skills however are useful regardless of skill set
-AE

They're already there with PPT. My mom tried to sign them up for a computer class at the local high school but the teacher reviewed what they already did and said they wouldn't learn anything new in the class.

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: Anubis
i dont think you could pay me enough money to learn SQL server. Im all for getting people more involved with tech but SQL is the wrong place to start.

You say the do things with horses, how about starthing them with webpage creating and pic hosting/editing

Yeah, I agree. Maybe give them a simple site where they can upload pictures and make very minor updates. Asking them to jump into JavaScript, SQL Server, etc. just doesn't make any sense.

It takes a special kind of geek to really want to start with something like C, C++, etc. When I first started around that age, we didn't have websites and all the other instant gratification options out there.

They're already started on the stuff you mention; they run their own sites (beyond minor updates; they built them from scratch a year ago), have active Facebook profiles, etc. They know how to use a computer quite well as an end user, just need to go up to the next step.

an51r, game building is a great suggestion!

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: axelfox

Any suggestions on how to make it fun for them?

Umm... it's programming?
These girls sound active, they ride horses and are involved in 4h. I doubt they are going to find programming fun, even if it's for their big brother and a little bit of money. If you want them to get involved iwth technology, get them into games. teach them the basics of windows, like how to install programs, keeping their files organized etc..

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: PieIsAwesome
I became a computer geek because I wanted a comp that could play games in middle school. Give them games, 13-year-olds don't care about boring javascript.

The problem is that most 3 year old stock computers can easily play the games they play right now. No motivation to learn, just log on and zone out.

I thought I'd have them write a little app for our uncle who does real estate appraisal - just something where he can track his clients, photos and reports. He's a complete no0b when it comes to computers but is very appreciative; maybe I can promise them a trip to California (back where they grew up and still have friends) to train him when they're done.

Ah, well I wasn't being entirely serious.

How about you make them a sample with, say JavaScript or HTML (Simple), and have them modify it? Make it an interesting sample. Like for HTML, a website about something they like, which they can maintain and tinker with.

EDIT: It seems your sisters are already somewhat geekified so I don't know how well the above suggesting would work to introduce them to coding, but it could still be used as a method of improvement by steadily increasing complexity.

 

[Mr Pickles]

girl technology? Like washing machines and irons?

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: illusion88

Originally posted by: AreaCode707


Any suggestions on how to make it fun for them?

Umm... it's programming?
These girls sound active, they ride horses and are involved in 4h. I doubt they are going to find programming fun, even if it's for their big brother and a little bit of money. If you want them to get involved iwth technology, get them into games. teach them the basics of windows, like how to install programs, keeping their files organized etc..

They can install new software, create and manage folder structures, replace a video card (with help), track their competition results in Excel and use formulas to trace their average times and stuff, and identify when they pick up a virus from all the crap they download. I've used them to trial my test scripts for work and they're more capable than about half my user base (though that's not saying much). So either they really don't develop much technologically between now and college or I give them something to work on.