Women's representation in the IT field comprises, according to the data, less than a third of the global workforce in this domain.
Only 28% of jobs in the technology field are occupied by women, with the European Union at a mere 19%, while the United States fares slightly better at 23%.
To bridge the gender gaps in the industry, Technovation Girls is the movement that contributes to the development of IT and entrepreneurial skills for girls between 8 and 18 years old, by organizing the largest annual technology competition dedicated to girls.
Participants develop a mobile application or an AI (Artificial Intelligence) based project, aiming to address social issues – projects for the environment, peace, equality, education, poverty, and health.
The winning regional teams of Europe are...
Without further ado, we announce that:
In the Senior category, the winner is Team SNK-Tech from Turkey, with the project "GPS (Global Pollution System)”, a portable pollution measuring device that can be placed anywhere in cities. It is supported by artificial intelligence and powered by solar energy. This device overcomes the shortcomings of existing systems that measure pollution and transfers the data to a map to track polluted areas.
In the Junior category, the winner is Team TSFE – Technical support for earth from Georgia, with the project "Smart light”, which addresses the issue of electricity consumption in the mountainous region. The electronic device and application created by this team allow the user to monitor the state of the lights in their home. If the user has left the lights on, the application reports energy consumption via a message.
In the Beginner category, the winner is Team SUPERRRGIRLSSS from Spain with the project "Graca. Recycling is everyone’s job”, an artificial intelligence model that helps in protecting the planet. GRACA teaches us how to recycle correctly, using the appropriate bins. It indicates to the user the ideal container for disposing of each type of waste.
If you want to find out who the finalist teams and regional winners from around the world are, visit this link.
5 teams from our country qualified for the Technovation Girls 2023 Regional Semifinals.
On the international stage, we are pleased that Romania was represented this year at Technovation Girls by 5 teams.
We are delighted to highlight the achievements and ideas that our girls brought forth, reaching such notable heights. Here are their ideas for positive change!
Senior Category
Team Digital Armie, composed of Maria-Emilia Iordache, from Gheorghe Lazăr National College in Bucharest, and Ioana-Valeria Gavrilă, Sofia Maia Bud, and Miriam Tranca, from Emil Racoviță National College in Cluj, has developed an app that connects associations with donors and volunteers. Their project is named Angel’s Road and it's a transformative platform that builds a bridge between NGOs and potential donors or volunteers.
Team Debuggers, made up of Iulia Panter and Antonia Tarfulea from the International Informatics High School in Bucharest, and Letiția Soare from Tudor Vianu National Informatics College in Bucharest, developed the application UHelp, a digital tool designed to assist Ukrainian refugees in Romania.
Team Big Brain++, composed of Alexia Florete, Antonia Onișoru, Teodora Șerban, Ilinca-Maria Velciu, and Maria Neagoe from Tudor Vianu National Informatics College in Bucharest, created an application named RecoverEats. This digital tool was designed for the treatment and recovery of eating disorders.
Junior Category
Team 5ForLife, composed of Luiza Tamaș, Amalia Balașcă, Alessia Zapodeanu, Miruna Tanasă, and Sînziana Munteanu from Gheorghe Pătrașcu Elementary School in Buruienești, developed the AllForHealth application, a digital tool that aids in adopting a healthy eating style.
Team The Tough Cult, composed of Laura Moldovan, Silvia Cârlan, and Laura Anghel, students at Tudor Vianu National Computer Science College in Bucharest, developed the EcoReads application, which combats paper waste by donating unused books to students and schools in need.
The senior semifinalists from Romania were decided during an in-person event organized in Bucharest
On May 20, approximately 80 people attended the Regional Pitch Event, where 5 senior teams presented their projects, each trying to convince the jury that their idea deserves to move forward in the competition.
In addition to the qualified teams: Digital Armie, Debuggers, and Big Brain++, teams Femmpower and Technogrills competed, whose effort and projects are worth mentioning.
Team Femmpower, consisting of Maria Petroiesc, Ilinca Preda, Ștefania Patilea, and Daria Konias, from the Mihai Viteazul National College, in Ploiești, developed the application Defensely that teaches young women basic self-defense techniques and how to react in harassment situations.
Team Technogrills, made up of Andrada Costache and Ioana-Alexandra Mihalache from the Tudor Vianu National Informatics College in Bucharest, Elena Alexandra Ionescu from Spiru Haret National College in Bucharest, and Anastasia Malama from Alexandru Vlahuță Theoretical High School in Bucharest, developed the application Rambex, which addresses the global packaging problem.
Regarding the importance of the Technovation Girls Competition in developing digital skills and promoting female entrepreneurship.
Technovation Girls crede că tehnologia este o componentă esențială în dezvoltarea socială, IT fiind un domeniu în care bărbații și femeile pot contribui în egală măsură.
For Technovation participants, this competition paves the way for a career in technology. The program's statistics show that girls have an increased interest in technology and leadership after participating, and 58% of them enroll in computer science courses after Technovation.
The program also boasts graduates who start their own businesses, enroll in prestigious courses, and become student ambassadors for the next generation of participants.
What skills do girls develop as a result of participating in Technovation?
With support from volunteer mentors, teachers, and parents, and using the free materials provided by Adfaber, the girls acquire some of the most sought-after and valuable skills in the job market.
When it comes to hard skills, the main competencies acquired are: coding, leadership, video editing, graphic design, creating a financial and business plan, public speaking.
When it comes to soft skills, among others we mention: time management, teamwork, communication, active listening, flexibility.
The Technovation Girls Romania competition opens its doors every year.
Organized by Adfaber, with the support of BCR, the Technovation Girls competition is dedicated to girls who want to gain knowledge in IT and leadership skills, while developing a solution to a real-world problem.
We invite you to be part of the next generation of girls who are changing the world with the help of technology by participating in Technovation Girls!
Follow the registration period at: https://adfaber.org/.
