The last few months have been such a fabulous journey for me as a social entrepreneur, and for all the techgirls, coaches and mentors (and judges!) who have participated in the program.

Earlier this year, 140 girls set out in 32 teams across 4 states of Australia to compete in the 2015 Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero. The goal: to use technology to make the world a better place. The activity was not so much about the competition per se, but a fun rivalry and conscious choice to create social change through technology. It is this that I am most proud of in all of the tech girls who participated. You are all awesome and inspiring 🙂

From July to September the teams, matched with a mentor who they met for up to one hour per week online, worked through a 12-week program to first define a problem and a possible solution, and then build the solution in MIT’s free AppInventor or another tool of choice. On the 30th of September 2015, 22 teams submitted their entries via email and YouTube. The app pitches and demo videos can be seen here: www.techgirlsmovement.org/video-pitches/

I am excited to announce the state finalists of the 2015 Search for the Next Tech Girls Superhero!

It really was tough. The national winner and other highly commended awards will be announced on the 8th of November at the showcase event at QUT.

QLD

Teams Pawsout –  St. Aidans Anglican Girls School

NSW

Team Emma’s Wagon  –  Abbotsleigh Junior School

WA

Team Vocabulary Voyager – St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School

VIC

Pinchapoo Team – Box Hill High School

You can check out their pitch and demo videos here.

Congratulations to all teams who participated. You will all receive 2 prize packs to your school so please look out for them (one from me and one from Google). I will be sending feedback for each of your entries from the judges in the next week with tips on how to improve your app – I hope you will consider joining us again in the 2016 competition to grow your idea further (flyer is here). 

Well done, you did an amazing job! 

2014: Now is a good time to reflect on last year’s competition. 18 girls participated; this has grown to 140 this year. Sara Price won last year and has been featured in a number of news articles. Help her spread the great word of her app Positive Penguins.

I’m so excited about our technology futures 🙂 Thank you for beginning to create your own future.

Welcome to the Tech Girls sisterhood 🙂
Jenine (aka Jewella)