Hackergal Hackathon
Be part of a national movement where girls* and gender-diverse youth code, create, and lead the future of STEAM!
Canada’s Largest Hackathon for Girls* and Gender-Diverse Learners!
Join hundreds of girls* and gender-diverse learners across the Canada for the Hackergal Hackathon, an exciting annual event designed to spark creativity, collaboration, and confidence in coding. Whether you’re new to coding or already exploring STEAM, this dynamic experience empowers you to learn, innovate, and connect with peers in a fun and supportive environment.
The Hackathon is a unique opportunity for students in grades 6 to 9 to come together, code with purpose, and solve real-world challenges. Participants will build essential digital skills, explore problem-solving through technology, and be inspired by mentors and role models who are shaping the future of tech.
Mark your calendars! Our next Hackathon is happening in April 2026. Stay tuned for more details and get ready to code, create, and collaborate!
34,000+
Learning experiences for girls and gender-diverse learners across Canada, empowering them to learn, build and pursue a career in STEAM.
1,000+
Participating schools and community organizations across the country providing digital skills education to young learners.
1,000+
Creative projects built by girls* and gender-diverse learners across Canada.
Why should you join our Hackathon?
Our Hackathons are a wonderful opportunity to showcase your coding skills on a national scale alongside other young changemakers! During our full-day Hackathon event, Hackergal Clubs across the country all code together to create projects that showcase positive social impact. It also features women in tech speakers, virtual celebrations, and prize-winning opportunities!
How the Hackathon Works
Join or Start a Hackergal Club!
Join a Hackergal Club at your school to learn coding with other girls* and gender-diverse learners! Ask a teacher or parent to sign up today by filling out the form below!
Expand your Coding and Digital Skills on Hackergal Hub
Prepare for the Hackathon by developing your Scratch, Python or HTML/CSS coding skills using our free curricuiulm on Hackergal Hub. Expand your digital know-how even further using our optional graphic design, mobile app development, and animation microlearning courses!
Attend our National Hackathon Event
Join our full-day coding celebration and code a special project connected to our annual social impact mission with your fellow Hackergals! Students across Canada will get the change to showcase their skills, meet inspirational women in tech, and compete for prizes!
Fill out the content form below to be notified about our upcoming Hackathon Events!
Registration for Hackergal’s Hackathon is now open!
FAQ for Learners
Learners are the girls* and gender-diverse participants in our programming, whether that’s in a Hackergal Club, our Hackathon, workshops, or Ambassador Program
Am I eligible to participate in the Hackathon?
To be eligible for the Hackathon, participants must:
- Identify as a girl or gender-diverse learner
- Live in Canada
- Be part of a Hackergal Coding Club or be learning to code individually using our curriculum on Hackergal Hub
- Complete at least one coding course on Hackergal Hub (Scratch, Python, HTML/CSS)
- Be in grades 6 – 9
Why is the Hackergal 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 December 2025. If you are part of Hackergal 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 Hackathon without being a part of a Hackergal Club
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 Hackergal 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 Hackathon?
Before the Hackathon, learners are required to learn the basics of coding through the coding courses available on Hackergal Hub, our online learning portal! These lessons will prepare you 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 Hackergal 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 school or organization, please complete the Hackergal Club Sign-up Form and we’ll reach out to book an onboarding call.
I am facilitating a Hackathon event in my community. How and when do I register for the Hackathon?
Registration for our next Hackathon opens in December 2025. If you are a facilitator running a Hackergal 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
I would like to be a Hackergal Club Facilitator. How do I start a Hackergal Club in my community?
Newbies are always welcome! Here are a few steps we recommend to get started:
- Choose a Champion Facilitator (maybe yourself!) to lead the Hackergal Club.
- Submit the Hackergal Club Sign-up Form.
- A Hackergal team member will contact you to begin onboarding to our Hackergal 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 Hackergal Club Sessions.
- Sign Up for Hackergal’s National Hackathon!
How do I run the Hackergal Hackathon at my school or in my community?
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. 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 share more tips and tricks on our Social Media channels and through Hub announcements leading up to the Hackathon every year.