ON Tuesday 15 November, Liverpool Girl Geeks are celebrating the successes of sixteen girls aged 11 to 16 as they complete eight weeks at the Liverpool Girl Geek Academy at FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), created to encourage and inspire girls to consider a career in technology.
Currently, only 17% of the UK technology workforce is female, and Merseyside-based Liverpool Girl Geeks is on a mission to address this gender gap and encourage more women into the technology sector. Delivered by Liverpool Girl Geeks in partnership with Co-Op Digital and FACTLab – FACT’s experimental space for collaborative learning and practice-based research – the Girl Geek Academy programme, led by Dolly Williams of Jayne Moore Media, has introduced participants to physical coding and confidence building exercises that will help them form their own peer networks of support.
Girl Geek Academy participant Beth Heale, aged 14, says: “I have really enjoyed my time at the Girl Geek Academy, learning new stuff I’ve never really thought about, colour physiology for example, which helps develop both my coding skills and me as person. It’s been great!”
Fellow Girl Geek Amelia Roberts, aged 13, says: “I have really enjoyed Girl Geeks Academy. It has helped me realise how much I can do and achieve, and that success isn’t just meant for the boys anymore!”
Friends, family and sponsors Co-op Digital are invited to this final celebratory event, where the girls will be presented with their awards. Also attending is WordPress co-founder Mike Little, who will be giving one lucky young lady the opportunity to have a one to one coding session with him.
Chelsea Slater, Co-Founder of Liverpool Girl Geeks and Managing Director, said: “The Girl Geek Academy has been a huge success. It’s been so inspiring working with 15 girls who have continued to work hard week on week so that they can have careers within technology. I can’t wait to see them shine!”
Ana Botella, Head of Programme at FACT, said: “FACT continuously strives to act as a catalyst for creativity across communities and the digital sector, and to engage with people in exciting new ways. We’re thrilled to have delivered this programme with Liverpool Girl Geeks, and look forward to future collaborations, supporting their important work to address the very serious issue of the technology sector being regarded as a male domain – a misconception that we are committed to changing.”
The Girl Geek Academy is a project delivered in a partnership with Liverpool Girl Geeks and FACTLab, supported by Co-Op Digital.
To join in on the celebrations, book your place on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/girl-geek-academy-celebration-tickets-28558275571
