This could be you too! The Ambassador Search for Meet and Code has returned bigger and better.
#MeetandCode #DigitalSkills #DigitalImpact #Coding #SuperStar #Ambassador
05.10.2022
If you’re based in Europe, you’re between 8-24 years old and live and breathe coding, then this one is for you. Still unsure? Maybe hearing the 2021 winner and ambassador Stefania Spachou’s story about life after winning last year’s competition will inspire you.
It’s almost been a year since 16-year-old Stefania Spachou from Trikala in Greece won the first Ambassador Search for Meet and Code. Since winning, she says her experience has been amazing. “I have collaborated with and met wonderful, kind, and dedicated people, who are working hard on promoting coding to the public and closing Europe’s digital skills gap,” she says. Stefania adds that she also had the chance to see some extraordinary projects from countries all around Europe. “That really inspired me and motivated me to continue engaging with technology in any aspect of my life.”
“We have really enjoyed working with Stefania who has provided us with great insight on what more can be done to improve young people’s digital skills and why it’s so important,” says Anna Sienicka, Vice President of TechSoup Europe and Meet and Code partner. She adds that Stefania has also formed part of the jury member panel that selected winning events hosted by NPOs and presented an award for one of our winning non-profits at the Meet and Code 2021 Awards ceremony.
Stefania’s coding journey has now gone beyond European borders. She has spent the last few months traveling to the United States with the educational program of TechGirls to learn more about coding. Stefania took classes for two weeks at Virginia Tech, one of the best engineering schools in the US, learning about microprocessors, Arduino coding, basic terms of electrical engineering, and robotics. “It was an amazing experience that re-sparked my passion for coding and robotics and made me realize I’d definitely want to engage with these two fields in my future career.”
She has urged all teens who are interested and passionate about coding to keep trying and advise them to never stop looking for opportunities. “Network with people, connect with like-minded peers, and most important join coding clubs, and robotics teams,” she adds, “if you’re in a city in Europe that has Meet and Code representatives, contact them and participate in their activities. They’ll be more than glad to help.”
Stefania says the benefit of entering the Ambassador Search are far beyond ‘winning’. “Whoever wants to join this competition, should absolutely ignore their doubts and do it,” she adds. “It will show you that there are more people like you, who have the same interests, the same kind of interesting ideas and projects, that you thought you’d never meet otherwise.” She says the biggest reward is joining thousands of young people and contributing to making change.
Stefania says once you get on the “coding train”, you never get off! Want to jump in and join Stefania and other young coders? Sign up for this year’s Meet and Code Ambassador search.
What’s more, this year we have an exciting additional prize. The winner will take home a Photon Robot. The robot is designed to work with both younger and older students. You can either use it for specifically prepared lesson plans or create your own, to learn about any subject.
Keen to enter? Here are the 5 important steps to follow:
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