Hackergal Brings Tech Empowerment Mission to Calgary Youth
Hackergal, a Toronto-based non-profit organization dedicated to fostering gender equity in technology and STEAM fields, has expanded its programming to Calgary, offering girls and gender-diverse youth aged 10 to 14 valuable opportunities to develop digital skills and explore potential career paths.
Bridging the Gender Gap in Technology
Rebecca Hazell, Director of Programs at Hackergal, emphasized the organization's core mission: "Our whole goal is to try to close the gap in gender equity that exists in technology specifically, but broadly in STEAM subjects." She noted this persistent disparity requires early intervention, stating, "We think the solution is definitely working with as young kids as possible, trying to get them when they're making those big decisions about life, and encourage them to try out something new."
The organization's Calgary initiatives include:
- Professional development sessions for teachers through partnerships with the Calgary Board of Education
- Weekly or bi-weekly club programming at schools like Alice Jamieson Girls' Academy
- Hands-on learning in graphic design, artificial intelligence tools, web development, and coding languages including HTML and Python
- Preparation for the annual national Hackathon event scheduled for April 23
National Reach with Local Impact
Although headquartered in the Greater Toronto Area, Hackergal maintains a nationwide presence with staff currently traveling to Saskatchewan, Yukon, and Canada's east coast. In Calgary, the organization is building connections with the city's growing technology sector, helping youth recognize local career opportunities.
"It's something really tangible for the kids to hold on to," Hazell explained. "They're in a community where they already have these opportunities that exist in the setting that they're in, and these industries that are really excelling in the Calgary area. We often bring that up when we're doing programming with them, and you can see the connection being made when they're learning in Grade 6 about these careers."
Upcoming National Hackathon
The Alice Jamieson Girls' Academy club members will participate in Hackergal's national Hackathon on April 23, where they'll join virtual national calls to showcase their progress. Participants will have opportunities to present their projects to an expert panel of judges during a national pitch day and submit their work for evaluation.
"We have some of our key members next week coming in to visit our club that's at the Alice Jamieson Girls' Academy," Hazell shared. "They're going to visit the ambassadors who are leading the club, to celebrate all the hard work that they've put in to making the club happen. And bringing that education to all the kids in Alice Jamieson Academy who are part of the club."
Through these initiatives, Hackergal aims to create lasting impact by introducing youth to technology and STEAM fields during formative years, potentially influencing their educational and career trajectories while addressing systemic gender imbalances in these industries.
