We run Django Girls in Pescara because we believe it is one of the most accessible and friendly ways to introduce beginners to Python, Django and the wider open source world. It is an event that opens doors, especially for people who might never have considered trying programming on their own.
For our local Python Pescara community it is an important moment every year. It brings new faces, new curiosity and a fresh sense of purpose, and it helps us grow as a welcoming and supportive group. As a coach and organiser, it always reminds me why I care about community work and why teaching Python to beginners is such a meaningful experience.
Coaches dinner before the Django Girls workshop
The evening before the workshop started in the best possible way. All the coaches ended up at a long table during the dinner offered by DevFest Pescara. It was nice to sit together, relax for a moment and enjoy good food while chatting about what we were expecting from the following day.
We also met organisers, speakers and volunteers from the conference. The atmosphere was warm and friendly and it helped create that little sense of community that makes events like this feel special. It was clear that everyone was happy to support the Django Girls workshop.
Opening session
The workshop began with a short and welcoming introduction from Lucia. She explained what Django Girls is about and how the tutorial works, and she helped the participants understand what the day would look like. Her energy set a positive tone right from the start.
For many of the participants this was their first contact with Django and even with programming in general. Lucia made sure everyone felt supported and ready to try something new. It was great to see the room paying attention and getting curious.
A bit of theory before coding
Before starting with the practical work, the participants followed a short presentation about the Django Girls project and the general structure of the tutorial. It was important to give everyone the basic context and show them what they were about to build, especially for those taking their first steps with Django for beginners.
The participants were already organised in small groups, which made the atmosphere active and collaborative from the beginning. You could feel a mix of excitement and curiosity, and it was clear that most of them were really eager to start typing code as soon as possible.
Getting started
After the introduction everyone opened the tutorial and began working on the first chapters. These initial steps are always a bit delicate because everything is new, but the participants jumped in with enthusiasm.
At this stage the participants were fully immersed, and the room quickly filled with small questions and first discoveries. It was the moment when the workshop really came to life and the connection between coaches and participants started to form.
DevFest volunteers
During the entire day we received support from the DevFest volunteers. They came to our room several times to bring water, gadgets and updates about breaks and lunch. Their presence made everything smoother and helped us stay focused on the workshop.
Even though our room was separate from the main conference, they always made sure we felt included as part of the event. This small attention added a lot to the overall experience and gave the participants the feeling of being in something bigger.
First steps with support
The coaches assisted the participants closely during the first hands-on parts of the tutorial. These steps often introduce concepts that are completely new, so staying next to them helped reduce any fear of making mistakes.
It was nice to see how a few words of explanation could unlock someone who was stuck for a moment. Many participants began to gain confidence quite quickly once they understood how to move forward.
Setup phase
The setup phase required extra attention because some participants had not completed it before arriving at the workshop. We helped them install everything needed so they could start coding without worries.
This part can be a bit long and sometimes frustrating. After this moment, the atmosphere changed and once everything was in place the relief was visible. From that point on the actual Django experience could begin.
Work continues
Once the setup was completed the work moved forward steadily. The coaches walked around the room and helped anyone who needed a little push to continue. The tutorial began to make more sense for many of them.
Some participants gained confidence quickly and started experimenting on their own. Others preferred to ask frequent questions and that was perfectly fine. The important thing was to keep a positive rhythm.
Working independently
One of the nicest parts of the workshop was seeing how many participants were able to continue the tutorial on their own. The quality of the Django Girls material really helps support this kind of autonomy and makes teaching Python to beginners easier for coaches too.
Some groups became very focused and worked quietly for long stretches. Every now and then someone would raise a hand with a question, but most of the time they progressed confidently and at their own pace.
Back to coding after lunch
After lunch everyone returned with fresh energy. The break also gave people the chance to talk with other DevFest attendees and share impressions about the morning.
When the groups sat down again they quickly found their rhythm. The work continued smoothly in all corners of the room and the sense of progress became more visible.
Final stages
The final part of the tutorial required a bit more concentration and the coaches offered full support. Many participants pushed themselves to reach the last chapters and were proud of what they had built during the day.
Seeing the room still full and active at this stage was a great sign. It showed how much motivation and interest there was among the participants and how well the Python Pescara community supported them.
Django birthday
At the end of the workshop we celebrated Django’s twentieth birthday with a cake made especially for the occasion by a pastry shop in Pescara. It looked great and tasted even better.
It was a simple moment but very meaningful. Sharing the cake with participants, coaches and volunteers felt like the perfect closing for a day spent learning something new together.
Conclusion
The second Django Girls workshop in Pescara was a real success and it was exciting to see such a diverse group of participants. We had students from local middle schools with their parents, high school students from the province, university students from the Economics and Computer Science course at the D’Annunzio University, working women from different fields and even a few DevFest attendees who decided to try Python and Django.
The coaches did a wonderful job and dedicated a full day to helping others learn. Some of them travelled far to be with us and their contribution made the event even more special. One of my favourite memories from the day was seeing participants help each other even before a coach arrived at their table. That small moment showed the spirit we try to build.
I am grateful to the Django Software Foundation for sponsoring the workshop, to GDG Pescara for hosting us again inside DevFest and to all the participants for their enthusiasm, patience and courage in taking their first steps with Django.
See you next time
We are already looking forward to the next Django Girls workshop in Pescara. After the positive energy of this edition it is easy to imagine another group of new learners sitting together and discovering Python and Django for the first time. Events like this grow thanks to the community and we are happy to keep building something valuable here.
If you want to join us at a future Django Girls workshop or any event organised by the Python Pescara community, keep an eye on our social channels. You can follow Python Pescara online at https://pescara.python.it or join our community mailing list. We would love to meet you again and continue this journey together.