The Hackergal community is growing!
With 500+ learners attending, representing a nearly 133% growth since Hackergal Day 2021, Hackergal Day 2022 was a massive success! Hackergal Day is a national event happening annually to build momentum and enthusiasm ahead of Hackergal’s week-long Hackathon in May. On December 7, 2022, girls* from across Canada came together to network, be inspired by women they relate to, and share their enthusiasm for both the planet and coding!
Hackergal exists because women are vastly underrepresented in STEAM, making up just 23% of the workforce in Canada. Hackergal Day 2022 showcased some of the women who make up that 23%. Women shared their lived experiences in the tech industry, opening up about their backgrounds, roles, and journeys in an industry where girls are not routinely given opportunities. Girls were inspired by advice and encouragement and were able to ask diverse women questions about their journeys in tech.
After attending Hackergal Day, 97% of survey participants were interested in studying STEAM in the future/after high school.
Hackergal Day showcased a group of diverse and dynamic women who empowered and inspired with their words of encouragement. Taiwo Ifabiyi (General Motors Canada), Saima Syed (CGI), and Hailey Funk (TC Energy) spoke during Hackergal Day’s live event about their experiences as women in tech while Sangeetha Varghese (Shaw), Brittany Tilstra (Sago Mini) and Isabelle Bissonnette (CIBC) shared their experiences in pre-recorded Women in Tech Spotlight Videos. By participating in events like Hackergal Day and the Hackathon, girls not only join a community of like-minded peers but also get the opportunity to be a part of a journey of personal growth.
“Hackergal is utilizing an innovative approach to addressing a gap in the Technology industry. It strives to encourage personal growth, and in doing so assists in the overall growth of Canada’s opportunities in the Technology sector. We like this.” – Paradigm Capital, Hackergal Day Sponsor
This year’s event saw the return of in-person celebrations for the first time in two years for the Hackergal community! Girls and like-minded folks gathered across Canada to participate in the live events and tech spotlights. Eniola, Hackergal Day Co-Host and Hackergal Ambassador, demonstrated the vivaciousness of youth and was a shining example of who a Hackergal is. The team spirit continued as Hackergal’s co-op student, Moriah, shared her coding journey sparking passion in girls across Canada with her creativity.
“It inspired me! It also let me know that there are opportunities out there for me as I continue down the coding/ STEAM path.” – Linden T, Grade 6, British Columbia
Hackergal Day brought feelings of community, empowerment, and passion, igniting the enthusiasm for STEAM in girls across Canada. From the powerful words of our speakers to the captivating excitement of our engaging activities, this year’s event ignited our passion for coding, and for learning and sharing how we can make a difference in protecting our planet!
“Hackergal Day had a positive impact on me because I really enjoyed meeting many inspiring women of all ages. I also love to learn new things and this presentation truly provided me with information to better my earth and be more involved in my community.” – Melina M., Grade 10, Ontario
Want more Hackergal? Join us for our upcoming Hackathon, a week-long event happening May 29th to June 2nd, 2023, and participate in this year’s theme: Coding for The Planet. Learn more about the Hackathon and stay up to date with our events at hackergal.org
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*Hackergal is committed to diversity and inclusion. We use an inclusive definition of “girls” and “women” and welcome the participation of all learners who identify as girls. This includes trans girls because we recognize trans girls are girls. We also welcome the participation of gender-fluid, non-binary, and two-spirit learners.
Hackergal is a charitable organization dedicated to inspiring girls to explore opportunities in computer science. Collaborating with teachers across the country, Hackergal offers a supportive learning experience for students and educators, providing the tools they need to learn how to code in preparation for Hackergal’s Hackathon.
Written by Tanya O’Connell and Kylie Dickinson @ Hackergal