Crack the code: Western Reserve Academy student pushes for more women in computer science

April Helms, Akron Beacon Journal
Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals. Hegde, who received the NEO High School Microgrant Program to fund her endeavor, reads from the monitor at the front of the room that is running codes.
Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals. Hegde, who received the NEO High School Microgrant Program to fund her endeavor, reads from the monitor at the front of the room that is running codes.

When Western Reserve Academy junior Riya Hegde takes a computer course, she is often the lone young woman or one of just a few in the class.

"Only around 20% of computer science majors are women," she explained during a recent interview at her school.

But Riya, who has been interested in computers and coding since elementary school, is looking to change this. The Hudson resident recently started Python Pals, which aims to teach younger girls about the computer coding program Python. In a recent class, Riya could be seen guiding a class of about eight students, teaching them terms such as "integer," "loops," "strings" and "input."

Riya said her courses, which she presents at Western Reserve Academy in the evenings, are taught over two classes, for a total of three hours of instruction. The first class goes over basic coding instruction. The second class encourages students to work on projects together using the skills they learned from the first class, followed by a coding competition.

"The competition makes it fun and exciting," Riya said.

Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals. Hegde, who received the NEO High School Microgrant Program to fund her endeavor, helps explain coding to Zoey Jain, 9.
Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals. Hegde, who received the NEO High School Microgrant Program to fund her endeavor, helps explain coding to Zoey Jain, 9.

See more about Riya: Region's best spellers show verbal legerity in genteel bee at Hudson Middle School

The idea started to take shape last summer. Riya worked with the Hudson Library and Historical Society to provide lessons in Python for middle school aged students. She's hoping to return to the library again this summer to offer the classes.

The next step was establishing regular classes during the school year at WRA; the biggest hurdle was finding students. Riya said she posted information at the library and Starbucks as well as on social media. She has not only attracted local students, but also has enrolled some international students in her classes through Zoom.

In addition, Riya started applying for grants so she could purchase gift cards for prizes and to maintain a website.

"I have been fortunate in receiving the NEO High School Microgrant Program," Riya said. "I've been using these funds to create my website, to advertise and to incentivize the kids with gift cards for winning a coding competition at the end of my class."

Riya said she also received the 2024 National Center for Women & Information Technology Aspirations in Computing Regional Affiliate Award.

Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals. Hegde, who received the NEO High School Microgrant Program to fund her endeavor, with Marissa Mallas, 11.
Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals. Hegde, who received the NEO High School Microgrant Program to fund her endeavor, with Marissa Mallas, 11.

Leilanie Premkumar, 12, a student at Solon Middle School, said her father told her about the Python Pals. Leilanie said she wanted to learn more computer languages and was mulling going into the computer sciences field.

"Medical is first," she said, adding that computers were "my backup job" interest.

Lila Paynter, 12, who attends Hudson Middle School, said her friend and classmate Victoria Chen, 12, told her about the classes.

Lila Paynter,12, and Marissa Mallas, 11, help each other out during the coding class.
Lila Paynter,12, and Marissa Mallas, 11, help each other out during the coding class.

"It's fun to learn about it," Lila said.

Victoria said she had actually attended a course earlier and enjoyed it.

"You can do it with other people," she said of why she liked learning Python.

Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals. Hegde, who received the NEO High School Microgrant Program to fund her endeavor, talks with the coders.
Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals. Hegde, who received the NEO High School Microgrant Program to fund her endeavor, talks with the coders.

As well as possibly resuming summer classes at the Hudson library, Riya said she plans to continue applying for grants. Also, she wants to offer to teach classes at Shelter Care in Tallmadge, which has programs to help youth and families in need.

"I am looking to expand this program and get the word out so I can educate many more kids," Riya said. " The feedback from my students has been immensely positive and through all of this I've been conducting surveys on the kids' perceptions towards coding and. I hope to publish my findings in the future."

Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals.
Riya Hegde, a junior at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, recently started a project called Python Pals.

For details on Python Pals, visit https://pythonpals.com online.

Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Western Reserve Academy student starts coding classes for young women

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