From Technovationchallenge.org:
“Technovation is the world’s largest technology entrepreneurship program for girls aged 10-18. It runs across 78 countries, supported by UNESCO, Peace Corps and UN Women. Through Technovation girls work with women mentors, find a problem in their community, develop a mobile app, and launch a startup. Technovation has been running for 7 years. In that time 10,000 girls around the world have developed mobile apps and startups to solve problems around a diverse range of problems, including food waste, nutrition, women's safety and much more.”
Great River has had 6 Technovation teams over the past 4 years and girls have made some pretty awesome community-driven apps! This is a great experience where you can learn new skills in design and programming, collaborate with friends, have awesome experience to add to your college resume, and have the chance to win a trip to California to present your app to entrepreneurs!
Meetings: Wednesdays after school (3:30 - 5:00) in the Upper Science Lab. Specific dates:
February 1
February 8
February 16
February 22
March 1
March 8
March 15 - NOON DISMISSAL - meet early?
March 22
March 29 NO MEETING (spring break)
April 5
April 12
April 19
Other dates: CodeSavvy and TechnovationMN will host Appapalooza, a celebration and “live pitch event” on Sunday, May 7. Here teams pitch their apps and business plans before a panel of judges. Local winners are determined and honored. The event is usually less than 4 hours long and families are welcome to attend.
International competition: All apps and business plans get submitted for scoring in California, where all completed materials are judged and finalists are determined. A total of 10 finalists (some middle school teams and some high school) will be selected to travel to Silicon Valley to pitch their apps before real entrepreneurs. The winning team in each category (middle school and high school) receives $10,000 to develop and market their app.
Cost: Technovation is free to participants! Technovation has many awesome sponsors and volunteers who are passionate about introducing and immersing girls in the world of STEM given the vast gender disparities within technology fields.
Contact info:
Please contact Kate at kateindrelie@gmail.com to express interest, or with any questions. Kate (and mentors from local businesses who help coach) will collect contact info from participants early in the season so we can send out updates, etc.