First Time Open Source Contributor Workshop

[mozfest-bot]

[ ID ] fda03d11-ec54-4192-8dd0-782df19876c3

[ Submitter's Name ] Nicole McCabe [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] 8th Light

[ Space ] demystify [ Secondary Space ] youth

[ Format ] hands-on

Description

This session will demystify the process of contributing to open source by guiding participants through selecting a project, getting it running locally, fixing an issue, and submitting a pull request. For many developers, particularly those just starting out or who come from an underrepresented background, contributing to open source can seem an opaque and risky process. This session will show them that it is possible for people of all skill levels to make meaningful contributions to real projects.

Agenda

We'll pre-select a few projects that are actively maintained and have beginner-friendly open issues.

We'll introduce resources where participants can find projects in need of contributors, and talk through our suggested projects. Participants will choose (with guidance as needed), which project they're most interested in and which issue they'd like to tackle.

We'll prepare for participants who are ready to jump into coding and those who are setting up machines for the first time. We'll bring a few backup machines for laptop-less participants.

Breakout sessions on git/github will be available based on participant need.

There will be guides for likely install / configuration issues for the suggested projects. We'll encourage the formation of pairs and small groups so participants may talk through problems with and learn from one another. Instructors will be available for assistance throughout.

At the end, participants may present their contribution to the group.

Participants

With 3 participants, each will get a lot of individual attention!

With a larger group of 15-25, we will divide participants into groups based on computer set-up needs and project interest. Rather than individual explanation, we will use small-group breakout sessions to give crash courses in git/github and, if necessary, programming concepts relevant to chosen issues.

Outcome

Participants will leave this workshop with a greater understanding of open source and how the communities within it operate, and a sense that contribution is well within their reach. I hope that participants will leave seeing contribution as a way to participate in software communities, grow their skills and experience, and have fun. Having gone through the process once, it will be small potatoes to do so again!

[EPIKhub]

Interesting topic session, I wanted something like this in the youth zone last year but no one submitted, we should talk more

[nicole-a-tesla]

@EPIKhub absolutely, feel free to shoot me an email (nmccabe@8thlight.com)