Joshua’s Home Remodeling Scholarship

When I was 9, I started programming with Scratch. Unlike my peers who were interested in the gaming aspect, I was drawn by the coding. To me, the feeling of joy when a program ran without errors was irreplaceable. I was 11 when I learned to code in a purely text-based language (HTML). From there, my love for coding grew as I learned CSS, JavaScript, Arduino, Python, SQL, and Java. I achieved perfect scores in Grok Learning’s WebComp Competition (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) and the NCSS Challenge (Python). I also won the Western BACE STEM Heroes Coding Challenge (Python). I pursued every opportunity to enhance my knowledge in not only coding but other aspects of technology too. In 9th Grade, I enrolled in a Robotics elective at my school, where I learned new skills, including the technique of soldiering. I was awarded a Robotics Excellence Award. In 10th Grade, I became interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications. Due to this interest, I collaborated with 2 students to ideate a solution to using AI to increase warning time before earthquakes. This experience allowed me to learn more about AI while practicing presenting to a panel of judges. In 11th Grade, I noticed that my Computing class of 50 students only had 5 girls, including me. I realized that Engineering was a male-dominated field, encouraging me to strive to balance the gender distribution in Engineering. Technology is quickly being integrated into our lives and its importance was highlighted especially with the COVID-19 pandemic where the transition to remote learning and working from home revealed how impactful technology can be. I became fascinated by the growing number of applications in this field. During that year, I created a website intending to globalize education access. I presented this website to a panel of judges for the Young ICT Explorers Competition. I was selected to participate in a program called GoIT Girls by TATA Consultancy Services. Here I learned about Augmented Reality. I ideated a tool that could be used by shoppers to locate items with ease, through Augmented Reality. I later presented this to a panel of Judges from Woolworths (an Australian grocery store that annually earns $45 Billion). I recently finished studying AP Computer Science A and completed several internships with Cognizant (Agile Methodology), KPMG (Data Analytics Consulting), SAP (Technical Consulting), pwc (Power BI ), and Goldman Sachs (Software Engineering). Whether it be through coding, robotics, AI, or Augmented reality Engineering continues to fascinate me. I am currently working on publishing a book teaching HTML, CSS, and Python to inspire others, especially females, to join CS. Not only that, but I am also working on coding and self-publishing an app that helps students build time management and organizational skills that can not only help with their education but also productivity in the workforce. STEM, especially the fields of engineering and computer science have always been underrepresented by females. I aspire to push towards balancing the gender gap in this field. I have a passion for Engineering and the motivation to find every opportunity to pursue this field. I also have experience with robotics, coding, AI, Augmented reality, software engineering, Power BI, and various other areas. I look forward to seeing where a degree in Engineering takes me next.