Hackergal 2026 Hackathon Inspires Young Coders

On Hackergal Day the School Board Office was filled with creativity and excitement as approximately 40 girls and gender diverse students, supported by dedicated Teacher Librarians, took part in the Hackergal National Hackathon.

This year’s theme, “Stories That Spark Change,” invited students in grades 6–9 to explore how storytelling and technology can drive innovation and social impact. Throughout the day, participants used Scratch coding to create interactive games and stories designed to teach, inspire, and spark new ideas.

The Hackergal Hackathon is one of the few national programs in Canada focused on building digital and emerging technology skills for girls and gender diverse learners. By providing free access to tools, resources, and support for schools and educators, it helps break down barriers and open doors to future opportunities in tech.

It was wonderful to see such a range of experience, with some students coding for the very first time, while others further developed their existing skills. No matter their starting point, all participants showed creativity, problem solving, and a willingness to take risks in their learning.

The students were joined online by other Hackergals in schools across Canada and the Hackergal team, who provided one on one guidance and insight to help the girls develop their ideas. We even had Anita and Erin from Hackergal in Toronto join us in person to cheer on the girls and help them with their coding.

A big thank you to our Teacher Librarians and all those who made the day possible. The future of tech is bright, and these young creators are just getting started! 🌟💡