Often it seems that there is only lip service paid to the fact that there are fewer girls and young women learning to code and embrace technical engineering. Then there are organizations like Technovation[MN] (brought to Minnesota by Code Savvy) who have already taken action and are doing something about it.
Their Technovation Challenge season kicks off on January 11th with their ‘App Day’ adventure. Read the press release below for more information and how you can participate.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Melanie Shirley
612.385.7846
Technovation[MN] kicks off the Technovation Challenge
season with App Day on January 11
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., January 7, 2014 – On January 11, more than 20 girls and 20 mentors will gather at TIES Training Center to learn how to code mobile apps in preparation for the Technovation Challenge that kicks off on January 12th.
Technovation[MN] is launching the Technovation Challenge in Minnesota for the second year in a row. The Technovation Challenge inspires girls in middle and high school to dream up, design, code and pitch mobile phone apps that help their communities. Through this program, Technovation[MN] seeks to attract, encourage and inspire the next generation of women technology entrepreneurs and empowers them to use technology to make the world a better place.
Last year, twelve teams of girls, ages 10 to 19, from Twin Cities area middle schools and high schools participated in the Technovation Challenge. This year, Technovation[MN] plans to have 25 – 30 teams from Twin Cities area schools guided by over 80 mentors from local businesses and organizations. Together, they will follow the Technovation Challenge curriculum to dream up, design and build their mobile apps. Teams build apps that solve a community problem or address a teen or womens’ issue.
“Our community volunteers and mentors are working to close the gender gap in computer science by teaching girls how to code and how to be successful entrepreneurs,” explained Shawn Stavseth, Co-Founder of Technovation[MN]. “Designing mobile apps is real and tangible for these girls because their phones are something they use every day. We want girls to understand the powerful role that technology can play in solving world problems.”
This year’s Technovation Challenge will conclude with a celebration on April 26 called Appapalooza, where the teams will show and pitch their mobile apps. The Appapalooza event is free and open to the public. To learn more, please go to Technovation[MN].
YOUR PARTICIPATION
- Do you know a girl or a school that would want to be on a Technovation[MN] team? Apply here.
- Do you want to volunteer to be a part of this amazing organization to help girls learn about coding and entrepreneurship? Contact Technovation[MN] here.
- Interested in supporting Technovation[MN] with a gift? Donations are welcome here.
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About Technovation[MN]: Technovation[MN] was formed to bring the global Technovation Challenge to Minnesota. We want to inspire and enable Minnesota teen girls to dream up, design, code and pitch mobile phone apps. We provide information, resources, and encouragement for Minnesota Technovation Challenge teams including mentor recruitment and training. We also host several App Days to excite interest, and the Minnesota Appapalooza event to celebrate our girls success.
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