GPN Perth Term 1 2025

Each school term around Australia, GPN runs free, full-day workshops that teach high school girls and gender minorities to code using Python. Our events offer a safe learning environment where tech stars are on hand to offer you support over the day, we learn together, meet people who have similar interests, and learn to code. 

In this workshop we’ll be creating a chatbot! Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation with users. We will explore Artificial Intelligence and discover how chatbots are made. Are they really that smart?

No coding experience is required! Students don’t need to have any programming experience to come along, we’ve got something for students of all levels. We’ll cover the basics if you’re new to Python and show you some extra cool stuff if you’re already a programming pro!

This event is a BYOD (bring your own device) one, so bring your laptop with you. We have some laptops available for students that can't bring one.

Lunch and snacks will be provided.

Perth GPN workshops are run by volunteer tutors from Perth’s IT community - people working in industry, teachers, plus students and staff from Perth universities.  

Workshops are free but please use this Humanitix site to register!

We often have a waiting list for GPN, so if you have registered but are no longer able to attend, please cancel or let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your place to another student.

Agenda:

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Registration

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Welcome & Information

10:15 AM - 12:15 PM Morning Coding Session

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Games (Y7-9) & Mentor Hangz Career Chatz (Y10-12)

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Afternoon Coding Session (Parents welcome from 3:45pm)

4:00 PM  Workshop End

FAQs:

Can anyone come to GPN?
GPN aims to support gender groups underrepresented in tech. Our coding workshops are for girls and gender minorities in Years 7-12. We welcome Year 6 students (girls and gender minorities) to our Term 4 events. GPN is a welcoming environment for girls, trans, and non-binary students and our tutors all identify similarly.

Where is EZONE at UWA and where can I park?
We will be in EZONE Central: Building 275. EZONE is located on the western side of the UWA Campus off Fairway. Parking is free in UWA carparks on weekends. On road parking is controlled by the City of Perth and may require a ticket. UWA is serviced by frequent buses. Location Map - UWA EZONE Central : Building 275

Do I bring my own food and drinks?
Lunch (pizza) will be provided, together with healthy snacks, plus some chocolate and lollies! You can bring your own if you prefer (NO NUTS please). Students should bring their own drink bottle. You can specify any essential dietary requirements for lunch when you register. 

Do I need to bring a ticket?
You do not need to bring a printed ticket on the day, just bring yourself!

Does it matter that I haven't coded before? 
That's absolutely fine - in fact we love to introduce students to programming. We run Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced rooms on the day, and we will help you find the level that suits you the best.

What programming language do you use?
Our workshops are primarily Python-based. We mainly teach the basic concepts like strings, lists, loops, if statements and dictionaries.

Where can I find more information about GPN?
Please refer to the national web site https://www.girlsprogramming.network

I'm interested in becoming a GPN tutor.
The main role of a tutor is to help the girls with the workshop material for the day. You will need to have graduated high school. To sign up or get more information please refer to https://www.girlsprogramming.network/tutoring