The statistics are disappointing but longstanding: women (and especially Hispanic women) are woefully under-represented in the world of science and tech. This weekend, in an effort to right that trend, Latinitas and the Made With Code movement hosts a daylong hackathon for young women to encourage them to explore careers in the information sciences.

The social media skills of kids today are bordering on the superhuman. Latinitas has been channeling those skills to ensure that young women use those powers for good (expressing themselves, learning professional skills) and not evil (cyber bullying, over-sharing) by offering low-cost and free classes year round. Whether that’s a short course on blogging or digital photography to something more involved like this weekend’s hackathon.

Code Chica invites girls and teens for lessons in various code languages before coming up with an applicable idea within the scope of the event. Teams meet with experienced coders to make that idea become a reality. Whether that reality is a video game or a helpful app, the kids will be given the tools to better envision and create their ideas. Lunch includes a visit from mentors from the tech sector.

Lending its support is Google’s initiative, Made With Code, which has a similar goal of helping young women to view code as a means to the career of their choice.

Register online or by phone (512/900-0304). The event is open to girls and teens ages 9 to 18.

Code Chica
Sat., Oct. 25, 9am-4:30pm
ACC Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberville
$15 (includes lunch)
https://latinitas.ticketbud.com/code-chica-conference

This article appears in October 17 • 2014.

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James graduated from Columbia University in 2000 and moved to Austin a year later. Ever since, he has followed the arts and video game scene in ATX, editing and writing stories for the Chronicle along the way. Over his more than 20 years with the paper he has climbed the "corporate" ladder from lowly intern to managing editor.