VOA常速英语2016--在线应用程序教会女孩们计算机编码

在线应用程序教会女孩们计算机编码

In New York one-hundred-fifty girls and boys are given a practical challenge called hackathon: to use computer coding on the Vidcode website to make a video that helps abandoned animals in shelters.

在纽约，150名女孩和男孩在一个叫做编程马拉松的项目中面临一项实用挑战：使用Vidcode网站上的计算机编码制作一段视频，帮助庇护所中被遗弃的动物。

"You get to use a lot of coding blocks to program stuff. It is really cool" .

“你要使用许多代码块和程序等内容。非常酷。”

On the other side of the country and West Coast office of Vidcode, co-founder Allie Diracles, demonstrated the process, which teaches computer coding as users make videos to post on sites like Facebook or Instagram.

在这个国家的另外一边，Vidcode西海岸办公室，联合创办人Allie Diracles对该过程进行了描述。他们教给孩子们计算机编码，让用户制作视频，发表在Facebook或Instagram等网站上。

The girls so like graphics¹ and images.

这些女孩们非常喜欢图标和图画。

"And then on our software, they will use programs and scripts and write their own computer programs to modify that content," she said.

“在我们的软件上，他们使用程序和脚本来书写自己的电脑程序，对内容进行修改。”

This New York hackathon contestants² learned they are winners for their short video to help abandoned animals.

这些参加编程马拉松比赛的纽约参赛者获悉他们帮助被遗弃动物的短视频获胜。

"You really need a lot of intelligence and math," said winner Nayely Torres, "because sometimes, to make an animal move, you have to think about the angle you want it to go to and how many steps you want it to move."

“你需要许多智慧和数学计算。因为有时要让动物移动，你必须考虑它运动的角度问题，想要让它移动多少步。”

The web-based program teaches computer coding step by step, and the girls — like boys— thrive in this competitive atmosphere.

这个基于互联网的程序逐步教给大家计算机编码，女孩子和男孩子一样都在这个竞争性的环境中茁壮成长。

"We don't see girls intimidated³. We see them taking the lead in groups and project managing."

“我们看到女孩子们一点都不胆怯。我们看到她们在小组中，在项目管理中发挥了领导作用。”

And they dream about using their skills.

他们梦想能够用到自己的技能。

"I would create a video game one day, or a TV show".

“总有一天我能开发出一款视频游戏或者电视节目。”

As they break down stereotypes⁴.

他们在逐渐打破陈规。

"When you think 'coder,' you think male," Cardona said. "You think nerdy, you don't think creative, at least traditionally. I think we're starting to change that."

“当你想到编码员的时候，你想到的是男性。你认为女性都是愚蠢的，没那么有创造力，至少非常传统。我认为我们正在开始改变这一点。”

They are learning technology as they promote work cause.

他们正在学习技术，同时促进事业的发展。

"I think that we did great because we put a lot of effort into it and we said helpful things to make awareness⁵ to help dogs and all animals around the country," she said.

“我认为我们做得非常好，因为我们付出了许多努力，我们说出一些有帮助的事情，唤起人们保护各地的狗狗及各种动物的意识。”

 

And they mastered important computer skills in the process.

他们在这个过程中掌握了非常重要的计算机技能。

1 graphics   

n.制图法，制图学；图形显示

参考例句：

• You've leveraged your graphics experience into the video area.你们把图形设计业务的经验运用到录像业务中去。
• Improved graphics took computer games into a new era.经改进的制图技术将电脑游戏带进了一个新时代。

2 contestants   

n.竞争者，参赛者( contestant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The competition attracted over 500 contestants representing 8 different countries. 这次比赛吸引了代表8个不同国家的500多名参赛者。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency. 两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 intimidated   

v.恐吓；威胁adj.害怕的；受到威胁的

参考例句：

• We try to make sure children don't feel intimidated on their first day at school. 我们努力确保孩子们在上学的第一天不胆怯。
• The thief intimidated the boy into not telling the police. 这个贼恫吓那男孩使他不敢向警察报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 stereotypes   

n.老套，模式化的见解，有老一套固定想法的人( stereotype的名词复数 )v.把…模式化，使成陈规( stereotype的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Such jokes tend to reinforce racial stereotypes. 这样的笑话容易渲染种族偏见。
• It makes me sick to read over such stereotypes devoid of content. 这种空洞无物的八股调，我看了就讨厌。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。