UMD's Technica Expected to Be Largest All-Women Hackathon in U.S.

College Park, Md. — This weekend, the University of Maryland will host an anticipated 800 women for Technica, which would make it the largest all-women hackathon in the U.S. (Pearl Hacks, based out of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, holds the current record with 600 attendees.)

Hackathons are creative, collaborative spaces where computer programmers go to brainstorm, grow their coding skills, and push the limits of technology as we know them today. However, most hackathons are dominated by males, which can discourage engagement by women. Technica’s goal is to support women of all ages and skill levels in the growing tech industry.

Recent media stories report that “the vast majority of U.S. students still lack a solid grasp of science despite some modest gains by fourth and eighth graders, especially girls and minorities.” (AP) Environments like Technica provide the creatively- and intellectually-stimulating space necessary for the engagement, support, and advancement of women in the male-dominated tech industry.

WHAT

Technica is UMD’s student run all-women hackathon. Over the duration of 24+ hours, women are immersed in tech culture and encouraged to exercise their imagination to create interesting and innovative hacks. Technica diverges from the typical hackathon as it encourages gender diversification and asks sponsors to hack alongside students in order to build stronger connections between students, sponsors, and the tech world.

WHO

Opening speaker: Anne Kainic, Front End Developer, U.S. Digital Service, The White House
Available for media questions 10 minutes before and after opening ceremonies.

Anne’s expertise consists in improving both the user experience and the technical implementation of online forms, using the cutting edge in web technologies.

Closing ceremonies: Christine Chen, CEO of Pathover
Available for media questions 10 minutes before and after closing ceremonies.

Christine has founded three successful startups. She loves speaking with women in the work place and giving advice to students about to go into the technical workforce.

Amritha Jayanti, Technica co-organizer and founder, junior computer science major

Amber Mirza, Technica co-organizer, senior computer science major

Hackathon participants: an anticipated 800 women of all ages from representing 30 states and 115 schools.

WHEN

Saturday, November 5, 2016
11 am–6 pm

Sunday, November 6, 2016
8 am–3 pm
Recommended: Attend demos at 1 pm!

WHERE

Reckord Armory at the University of Maryland
4490 Rossborough Lane
College Park, Md.

Technica is co-sponsored by the University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering; College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences; Department of Computer Science; College of Information Studies; Philip Merrill College of Journalism; Department of Mathematics; College of Behavioral & Social Sciences; Robert H. Smith School of Business; Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute; Association for Women in Computing; Startup Shell; Virtual Reality Club; and others. Visit http://gotechnica.org/#sponsors for more information.

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About the Clark School of Engineering

The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland serves as the catalyst for high-quality research, innovation, and learning, delivering on a promise that all graduates will leave ready to impact the Grand Challenges (energy, environment, security, and human health) of the 21st century. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, to accelerating entrepreneurship, and to transforming research and learning activities into new innovations that benefit millions. Visit us online at www.eng.umd.edu and follow us on Twitter @ClarkSchool.

Published November 2, 2016