Technovation Girls 2024 Launches in Ireland

Technovation Girls returns for 2024! After 6 successful years in 10 counties nationwide, including global competition winners and finalists from Ireland, the global technology-for-good programme is back for another run.

In addition to multiple online session offerings, key in-person locations this season include Mt St Michael’s in Claremorris Mayo, Ardsoil Mhuire in Ballinasloe Galway, St Patrick’s Comprehensive in Shannon Clare, Colaiste Nano Nagle in Limerick, Christ King Secondary in Cork, St Mary’s College in Arklow Wicklow, and The Digital Hub in Dublin 8.

Technovation Girls equips young women ages 10- 18 with the skills to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. With the support of volunteer mentors, girls work in teams to code mobile apps that address real-world problems they’ve identified. The curriculum also challenges girls to build a business plan that can bring their app to market. Close to 20,000 girls register from across 115 countries annually.

Margaret Malone, Programme Manager at Teen-Turn, shared her take on the experience. “Every year, girls from throughout Ireland get together after school to learn how to build a mobile app, bring it to market, and pitch it to investors. But what they take away from it goes far beyond computer programming and business competencies. They improve their communication and teamwork skills. They develop life-long friendships and peer networks. They gain confidence in their own ability to solve challenges facing their communities.”

Support for girls and schools interested in participating in the twelve-week curriculum is available via the Technovation Ambassador organisation, Teen-Turn (www.teen-turn.com), with a final submission date of April 24, 2024, and a regional pitch event scheduled for May 4, 2024, at multinational AMD’s HQ in Dublin.

Programme deadlines, updates, and more can be found at the official Technovation website, www.technovationchallenge.org or @TechChal (Facebook, Instagram) or @technovation (Twitter). Activities are free, without cost.