An AI-powered chatbot, a beach cat videogame, and a stress management website were among the projects presented at the 2023 UArizona Girls Who Code Project Showcase. The club aims to close the gender gap in technology by offering free coding classes to 6–12 graders. It’s taught by UArizona graduate and undergraduate students.

“Girls Who Code is totally worth it,” says Alysia Seery, a sixth grader at Alice Vail Middle School. “It is really fun, and the facilitators are nice.” At the Project Showcase, students were stationed at laptops and demonstrated their projects to spectators.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a monster truck driver? Well, I interviewed some monster truck drivers to help answer questions you may have.

Bob Chandler is considered the “godfather” of monster trucks. He is credited as being the inventor of monster trucks, with the first truck named Bigfoot created in 1975. Jim Kramer, who was one of Bigfoot’s early drivers, also co-founded Bigfoot. A lot has changed in the world of Monster Jam since then.

In March of this year, four firefighters from the Tempe Fire Department, Station 2 came to visit us at our day program. They showed us their fire truck and all of their gear.

I had the chance to interview one of them. Firefighter Tony said they prioritize their career, family and friends by helping family first. He said that the fire department’s primary role is protecting the city. He said that it is their responsibility when there isn’t an emergency is to make sure the city is safe. He said his favorite part of being a firefighter is helping people.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Catalina Island on a field trip with my school. Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) had so many activities for us to do during our week-long trip. I was able to enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, hikes, squid dissection, team building exercises, learning labs, hand on activities with some of the sea life in tanks, rock climbing andGaga Ball. My favorite activities were snorkeling, squid dissection and rock climbing.

Picture this: A huge shark is hoisted onto a research boat. Three people rush to secure her—to stop her from thrashing around and getting hurt. Who are these people? Why have they brought a shark on deck? Are they… sitting on her?

Two of the participants in this crazy scene are Brooke Anderson and Beckah Campbell. These brave scientists conduct research at the Sulikowski Shark and Fish Research Lab at ASU in Glendale. Wait. People research sharks in the desert? Yes!