Join girls* and gender diverse learners across Canada for a week of computer programming, creative storytelling and fun!
The Hackergal Hackathon is a nationwide event where girls* and gender-diverse learners are challenged to code a visual story or interactive game connected to a surprise social impact mission.
The Hackathon week is an awesome way for learners to build their coding skills, collaborate, work together and showcase their accomplishments on a national level! Plus, participants get to hear from amazing women in tech, submit their projects for expert-led judging, participate in fun digital games, and so much more. Over 28,000 girls* and gender-diverse learners across Canada have participated in past Hackathons – we can’t wait for you to join us, too!
Contact me when registration opens
FAQ for Learners
Learners are the girls* and gender-diverse learners in our Program! As a member of a Hackergal Coding Club, you are considered a learner.
Am I eligible to participate?
Hackergal is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome the participation of girls, gender-diverse, non-binary, and two-spirit learners. We use an inclusive definition of “girls” and “women” and welcome the participation of all learners who identify as girls. To be eligible for the Hackathon, participants must:
- Identify as a girl* or gender-diverse learners
- Live in Canada
- Be part of a Hackergal Coding Club or have learned to code individually using our curriculum on Hackergal Hub
- Complete at least one coding course on Hackergal Hub
- Be in grades 6-9
Why is this Hackathon for girls* and gender-diverse learners only?
Research has shown that women only represent 23% of STEM workers, a number that has increased by only 2% in 30 years. Our programming addresses this gender gap by ensuring girls* and gender-diverse learners are always the main focus. We consider the systemic barriers and gender stereotypes that may impact our learners’ experiences and create a supportive learning environment to build their confidence and resilience.
I would like to join the Hackathon. How and when do I register for the Hackathon?
Registration for the next Hackathon will open in February 2025.
If you are part of Hackergal Coding Club, your facilitator or teacher will register on behalf of all participating learners and send you the event details and join links. If you are a learner joining the Hackathon from home or without a school/organization, you can register by completing the sign-up form.
Can I participate in the Hackergal Hackathon from home without a school or organization?
Absolutely! The Hackergal Hackathon is open to all learning environments for learners who meet the Hackathon eligibility requirements. If you are a self-directed learner and not a member of a Coding Club, feel free to join the Hackergal Hub and complete one of our coding courses. Then you’ll be all set to participate in the Hackathon. We look forward to having you join us!
How do I prepare for the Hackergal Hackathon?
Before the Hackathon, learners are required to learn the basics of coding through the coding courses available on Hackergal Hub! These lessons are designed to prepare learners for the Hackathon. Hackergal Hub, our learning portal, offers scaffolded lessons and video tutorials for the girls* and gender diverse learners to practice on their own time or during Coding Clubs. During the Hackathon, you will apply your coding skills to a surprise mission with a social impact theme!
FAQ for Facilitators
Facilitators are the amazing people who host our program in schools and organizations across Canada. This includes teachers, librarians, community leaders and parents, to name a few! If you’re interested in facilitating the Hackergal Hackathon at your organization, please complete the Hackergal Coding Club Sign-up Form and we’ll reach out to book an onboarding call.
I am facilitating the Hackathon. How and when do I register for the Hackathon?
Registration for our next Hackathon opens in February 2025. If you are a facilitator running a Coding Club at your organization, you are encouraged to register for the Hackathon on behalf of your group of learners by completing the registration form. This form will include a field to indicate the estimated number of your learners attending the Hackathon. After submitting the form, a Hackergal team member will reach out to you with further information and the necessary join links.
What are the software requirements for Hackergal’s coding platform?
Hackergal Hub and our coding platforms are all web-based and available for free on any device connected to the internet (ie. Chromebooks, iPads, Tablets, any laptop or computer).
I’m a new Facilitator. How do I start a Hackergal Hackathon club?
Newbies are always welcome! Here are a few steps we recommend to get started:
- Choose a Champion Facilitator (maybe yourself!) to lead the Hackergal Coding Club.
- Submit the Coding Club Sign-up Form.
- A Hackergal team member will contact you to begin onboarding to our Coding Club programming and other exciting incentives.
- Once onboarded, you will create an account on hub.hackergal.org for your organization and explore our engaging coding courses.
- Share information about the program within your school/organization and invite other facilitators who might be interested in offering support.
- Spread the word with your girls* and gender-diverse learners to a drop-in information session to promote the Club and share details on the Club timing, purpose, and upcoming Hackathon.
- Host your Coding Club Sessions.
- Sign Up for the Hackathon!
How do I run the Hackergal Hackathon at my school or organization?
The Hackathon is hosted at hundreds of schools, organizations and locations across Canada. We all code projects together on the same theme, at the same time, creating a powerful movement to close the gender gap in tech. This Overview provides a helpful outline of how it works.
The Hackathon is an opportunity for you to plan a really exciting event – virtually or in-person – that truly spotlights all the hard work of your learners! It can be competitive or more focused on having fun! The Hackathon is really whatever format makes the most sense and feel the most celebratory for your community! Put up our posters, order pizza, dress in purple, post on social media, and make the day a big splash! We’ll be sharing more tips and tricks on our Social Media channels and through Hub announcements closer to the Hackathon.