STEAMHouse, in partnership with e-Learning Jamaica, has launched the Crea+her Hackathon and Girls in ICT school tour programme.

The Girls in ICT school tour is a month-long programme, which will see women tech leaders interacting and networking with girls through the staging of workshops at seven high schools: Immaculate Conception High School in Kingston, The Queen’s School in Kingston, St Andrew Technical High School in Kingston, Eltham High School in St Catherine, Innswood High School in St Catherine, Montego Bay High School in St James and Mount Alvernia High School in St James.

The Crea+her Hackathon is a free-entry, virtual, regional competition involving high-school girls from across the Caribbean who will test their mettle in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics competitions for the chance to win cash prizes and internships.

Speaking at the launch ceremony at the ICHS in Kingston, Education Minister Fayval Williams commended STEAMHouse and e-Learning Jamaica for their commitment to nurturing talent and fostering inclusivity in the tech industry and education sector, as well as young girls who have chosen to debunk gender stereotypes.

“We’re not just celebrating an event, we are championing a movement that recognizes the immense potential, creativity and brilliance of our young women in the field of technology,” said Williams. “To the young ladies that choose to participate in this competition Hackathon, I commend you.”

Speaking with Our Today, STEAMHouse founder and CEO Godiva Golding explained her motivation to launch the initiative.

“I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for women to be overlooked in STEM, the Crea+her Hackathon and Girls in ICT Day school tour programme are about giving young women a chance to feel supported by other women in the industry so they can know that tech is not a boys club but a space where everyone can have a chance to express their competence as well as their creativity,” she said.

Digicel, ATL Automotive, Caribbean School of Data, tTech Limited, StarApple A.I, NCB Foundation have all pledged to send members from their leadership team to conduct workshops at the selected high schools.