"Natalie is well on her way to reach her goal," said her mother, Amanda Peterson.

It was a perfect match from the start, everybody had agreed - the mentor, the mentee and the matchmaker, uCodeGirl.

During the 3rd annual Crack the Code: STEM Mentorship for Girls, Natalie Peterson’s love of animals, her passion for Science and her desire to study Veterinary Medicine in college had informed uCodeGirl to pair her with Dr. Carrie Hammer, the Director of Equine Science at North Dakota State University.

“I wanted to write and share with you that uCodeGirl had set the ball rolling on many incredible opportunities for Natalie,” wrote Natalie’s mother, Amanda Peterson. “We are so thankful for this ongoing mentorship from Carrie and the encouragement from your program. She is well on the road to reach her goal.”

“A mentor is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push in the right direction.” John C. Crosby.

Her mentor, Dr. Hammer, was equally excited to share her passion for science and love of animals. Their connection empowered Natalie in numerous ways, inside and outside uCodeGirl’s mentorship program. Their relationship continues to provide Natalie with incredible resources to achieve her goals. 

“Last summer, Dr. Hammer graciously offered to be Natalie’s mentor while Natalie applied for an Ann Bancroft Foundation Let Me Play Grant. Natalie excitedly received the grant later that fall. Dr. Hammer is keeping in touch with Natalie while she uses her award to take weekly private horseback riding lessons this summer. 

While Natalie participated in uCodeGirl’s STEM Mentorship program in 2019, her science group studied pollinators. With the help of Dr. Hammer, Natalie applied and was selected to be a part of the Buzz Lab Internship at the Plains Art Museum that combines studies of pollinators and art. Natalie and her mother were ecstatic to see this awesome connection between the two experiences.   

We are thrilled to hear about this amazing connection between Natalie and Carrie. We are cheering for Natalie as she continues to chart her path to STEM career. Natalie has big dreams of being a vet, rescuing animals, and riding horses.

She provides an incredible example of the positive impact that a mentor can have in your aspirations. Natalie also proves that uCodeGirl can provide experiences that are inspiring to girls of all interests from technology to zoology.

“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.”

— John C. Maxwell

Natalie Peterson presenting at uCodeGirl 3rd annual Crack the Code: STEM Mentorship for Girls

"I wanted to be different and do something that surprised people..."

Ansley Schug is a rising senior majoring in Computer Science at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Originally from Woodbury, Minnesota, Ansley is also the 9th-fastest hurdler in NDSU history. She applies the same focus and grit to her studies as well as her track training to earn her an All-Time Top 10 Most Valuable Player of the North Dakota State Women’s Track and Field.

“I did not decide to study Computer Science until my sophomore year of college.”

Photo credit: NDSU Track & Feld

As a Program Coordinator at uCodeGirl, whose mission is to inspire and engage young women to tech career, we invited Ansley to share a bit about her journey to her chosen field of computing.

When and how did you decide to study Computer Science? I did not decide to pursue a degree in technology until my senior year of high school. A friend of mine convinced me to take an electrical engineering class with her during our senior year. Fortunately, it was a great experience and I went into my freshman year of college as a Computer Engineering major. After taking a year of Computer Engineering courses, I decided that majoring in Computer Science would be a better fit for me. So technically speaking, I did not decide to study Computer Science until my sophomore year of college. I decided to pursue a Computer Science degree because I loved the way CS concepts challenged me, I wanted to be a part of an up and coming field, and I wanted to be different and do something that surprised people.

What inspires you about the future workforce in technology? The technology field is always changing and there are always new things to learn. A future in technology covers so many areas that it is impossible to lock yourself into one category. I am inspired by a future in technology because I know that I am never going to be bored and I am going to be working in a field that is changing the world daily.

What insights or advice would you have for your younger self? I would tell my younger self not to let any stereotypes, presumptions, or judgments get in the way of my goals, dreams, or even daily life. I would tell myself to be confident, be inspired, and be courageous.

She summarizes, “Don't be afraid to be different from the status quo. As a woman in a field that is predominantly male, I have learned to own it. There are times where I have been the only girl in a class of thirty or forty students. However, I have learned not to let that hinder my confidence, experience, or passion in any way.” And we say, “You go girl!”

Breaking the stereotype; technology camp in Moorhead inspiring young women

MOORHEAD—A tech camp in the metro is hoping to inspire young women to break the stereotype—and later, pursue careers in STEM fields.

"Crack the Code" from uCodeGirl is helping teen girls get involved in male-dominated fields like engineering or math. 

This week, 40 young girls are learning about how to be a leader, along with skills like coding in the 2 week long camp.

They start by coming up with a problem, and then spend the rest of time cracking the code on how to fix it.

"I founded uCodeGirl for the same purpose of bringing girls together, and to see this many girls come committed to take a two week session on coding, it's really amazing." says uCodeGirl Next year, the organization hopes to expand the program to 1-hundred students.