CodeHers Hackathon
Got a brilliant idea that can help girls and women around the world? Here’s your chance! From February 27th to March 13th, join (up to 5 friends) or go solo, and put your coding chops to the test. Winners will be announced live on March 15th!
Overview
Key Dates & Deadlines
Save these dates to stay on top of everything, from sign-ups to final presentations!
Initial Interest Deadline
February 25th
Hackathon Launch
February 27th
Hackathon Submission Deadline
March 13th
Finalists Shortlist
March 14th
Live Finals
March 15th (Award Ceremony)
Divisions
We have two divisions, so everyone—newbies or coding pros—can participate:
- Novice (Years 7–11): Perfect for those just starting out. Block-based coding (Scratch, etc.) is allowed. We’ll focus more on creative ideas and less on super-advanced code.
- Veteran (Open to all): Ready for a challenge? Show off your coding prowess—no block-based languages allowed. We lean heavier on technical implementation and advanced features.
Judging Criteria
Yes, we’re rating your work—but we promise, it’s all in good fun!
| Criterion | Novice Weight | Veteran Weight | What We’re Looking For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme Relevance | 10% | 10% | How well does your project address girls’ and women’s needs? |
| Creativity | 20% | 10% | Is it unique? Does it solve a problem in a fresh way? |
| Technical Excellence | 20% | 30% | Code quality, minimal bugs, intuitive UI, etc. |
| Implementation | 20% | 30% | How complete is the solution? Potential for growth? |
| Presentation | 30% | 20% | Pitch delivery, clarity, audience engagement, etc. |
Rules & Extra Info
- AI Tools are allowed, but you must truly understand your code (no blindly copy-pasting).
- Original work is required, meaning no old projects. Everything should be created during the hackathon period.
- Teachers, parents, or mentors, anyone not in your group, can’t directly assist with coding or design. This is your time to shine!
- Provide a 10-minute video plus your code. Top teams present live on March 15th.
- Be respectful. We’re all here to learn & collaborate. Harassment or offensive behavior isn’t tolerated.
Theme
This year's overarching theme focuses on developing innovative apps or technology tools that enhance the lives of girls and women, addressing gaps overlooked by major tech companies.
Sub-themes
Beneath the overarching theme of female empowerment, participants are encouraged to align their projects with one or more of the following sub-themes:
Education
Create a tool that makes education more accessible for girls and women.
Example projects:
- An offline learning app for girls in areas with limited internet access.
- A platform connecting girls with female mentors in STEM.
- A gamified app to teach coding or science to young girls.
Sustainability and Environment
Build a product that helps women adopt sustainable practices or lead eco-friendly initiatives.
Example projects:
- A platform for women to share tips on sustainable living.
- An app that connects women with local eco-friendly businesses.
- A tool to help women start green businesses or projects.
Community Building
Design a product that connects women with like-minded individuals or communities.
Example projects:
- A social platform for women entrepreneurs to collaborate.
- A networking app for women in specific industries.
- A local event finder for women’s empowerment workshops.
Submission
Once you've finished making your project and presentation, you should make a 10-minute long video with narration to both demonstrate your project and show off your presentation. You'll be submitting both this video and an accessible link to your codebase (we recommend all participants to use GitHub to store their code) so we can run and review your code. Make sure to show passion and engagement in your presentation!