Blog

Most important, Be the Next YOU

Guest post by Keerthi Manikonda, a Technovation[MN] participant and Appapalooza Guest Speaker Approximately three and a half years ago, one of my instructors from a program called BDPA approached me and a couple other girls, and told us about this cool new program that encourages girls to try mobile app development. I went home that… Read More

Two MN Teams are Runners Up in Global Competition

We are extremely excited and proud to announce that TWO (2) Technovation[MN] teams are Runners Up in the Global Technovation Challenge.  Each team will receive a scholarship to continue their work and/or studies in business, technology or computer science. See the 2017 Award Structure. VIA by BDPA SKeMAS – Senior Division Via is a safe… Read More

Three teams advance to the MN Cup Semi-Finals

MN Cup announced today it has advanced 3 Technovation[MN] teams to the semifinals of the 2017 competition. Eye on Walleye Technovation Junior semi-finalist team and the Top Scoring Technovation[MN] team Eye on Walleye was developed to provide a more accurate and real-time track of the fishing population Pitch Video | Demo Video Via Technovation Senior semi-finalist team Via… Read More

Biggest Appapalooza Ever!

An inspiring group of dreamers, designers and doers gathered yesterday at the Minneapolis Convention Center as over 60 teams of high school and middle school girls came together in celebration of their hard work with Technovation[MN]. Teams of young women pitched mobile apps they have been building over the past 3 months to business professionals…. Read More

And our 2017 winners are…..

Congratulations to our 9 teams that are advancing to semi-finals for the chance to go to the global competition in San Francisco! Check out their pitch videos here: G.I.R.L.S. can H.A.K. from Maple Grove Middle School The Tech-Tastics from St. John the Evangelist The 4 Musketeers from Chaska Middle School East Her-ricanes from Chatfield Public Schools… Read More

Calling Volunteers for Appapalooza

Guest post from Leib Yardley, Appapalooza Volunteer Coordinator Appapalooza 2017 will take place on Sunday, May 7th from 2-5pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center. We will need many volunteers to pull off this year’s event as we are expecting over 290 participants and 750 attendees! If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using… Read More

Judges Needed for Appapalooza! – A Unique Opportunity

APPLY HERE TO BE AN APPAPALOOZA JUDGE. Technovation Challenge 2017 is nearing completion! The 54 middle school and 12 high school teams are busy polishing their mobile apps, creating demo videos, and for the high school teams, completing their business plans for submission by April 26. All of this learning and hard work will culminate… Read More

2017 By the Numbers

Guest post by Jean Weiss, Code Savvy, Executive Director, and Technovation Regional Ambassador Another record breaking year for Technovation[MN] is in the making. In this, our fourth year, we again we have more mentors, more students, and more teams than ever before. We have teams across the Twin Cities, both urban and suburban and teams… Read More

Inspiring as a state of mind!

Guest post by Karen Winkler, Technovation[MN] Board Chair, Mentors and Technology I love math and I wanted my daughters to love math, so when they were in grade school I made sure they saw me in action as a ‘math-lete’ and enjoying the ‘game’. I’m also kind of a health nut, and I wanted my… Read More

MultiTech and Technovation[MN] team up to create an Impact for MN Girls in STEM

Guest post by Annette Evans, Technovation[MN] Board Chair – Fundraising Technovation[MN] is thrilled to be working in partnership with MultiTech – A woman owned IoT technology company committed to helping our efforts to break barriers and propel girls in STEM. MultiTech will make a donation for EACH and EVERY badge they scan at their booth… Read More

Girls put creativity, energy into solving community problems

A group of nearly 100 middle and high school girls gathered at Lourdes High School on Wednesday. Armed with curiosity and energy, they were tasked with coming up with solutions to some of Rochester’s most pressing problems. No issue was too big to broach. On the table were topics that confound the region’s leaders each… Read More

Defining your app’s target audience and why it matters

Guest Post by Eve Poeschl, Technovation[MN] Board Member There’s more to developing an app than choosing features and writing code that will bring the idea to life. There’s an important decision to make first. Who’s your target audience? Defining this group is critical to the success of any app. Impact of your target audience The… Read More

Be the change you wish to see in the world

Guest post written by Karen Winkler, Technovation[MN] Mentor Board Chair ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’-Mahatma Gandhi This has got to be one of the most referenced quotes, especially when referring to personal behavior. Want more people to be nice; start acting nicer. Want your kids to eat more vegetables; start… Read More

2017 Technovation Challenge Registration is Open!

Calling all girls, mentors, and volunteers! Registration for the Global Technovation Challenge is now open. REGISTER FOR 2017 2017 SEASON TIMELINE Registration Opens: October 1, 2016 Individual & Team Registration Deadline: March 8, 2017 Submission Deadline: April 26, 2017 World Pitch Summit: August 7-11, 2017 Every year, Technovation challenges girls all over the world to… Read More

MN Aspirations in Computing Awards

We’re excited to share with you an annual award offering career inspiring opportunities for female students in your Minnesota high school who have technology interests and aspirations. Young women in grades 9-12 are invited to apply for the fifth annual Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards, hosted by Advance IT Minnesota and prominent local partners. Last year,… Read More

We are hiring!

Technovation[MN] is looking for a project manager intern to help implement this year’s Technovation Challenge. If you are passionate about technology and want to do something to get more girls involved in the innovation of products this role is for you. Contact Us to apply. Our ideal candidate is someone who is obsessed with details…. Read More

Technovation[MN] receives grant from Amazon

Amazon today announced plans for a new technology development center in downtown Minneapolis that will create 100 full-time, technology-focused jobs. To celebrate Amazon’s expansion in the Minneapolis community, Amazon is donating $10,000 plus mentoring support to local nonprofit Code Savvy to help the group’s mission of encouraging youth’s understanding of coding and promoting diversity in… Read More

And the winners are….

What an incredible day…….Congrats to every single girl who pitched today!  These 7 teams will be entered into the semi-final round of the World Pitch Competition. MIDDLE SCHOOL REGIONAL WINNERS In no particular order. J.A.T.S with Ace Assisted from St. Francis Assisi, Rochester MN Ace Assisted is an app that help you find the perfect… Read More

Congratulations to all 50 MN teams for completing your submissions to Global! See you at Appapalooza May 1.

All 50 teams from Minnesota completed their 12-weeks of technology entrepreneur curriculum and submitted their mobile apps that solve a social problem to the Technovation Challenge.  Congratulations to you all!  What a huge accomplishment.  We are very excited to see you and hear your app pitches, not to mention celebrate your success, at Appapalooza on 5/1…. Read More

Summer Camps

Get ready for Summer with these STEM camps. Technovation[MN] at Microsoft Community Day – June 17. Watch for more details. Abamath Summer Programs University of MN Summer Computing Academy for female High School students Macalester College SPARCS at Mac Tech Camp for Minnesota Girls Advanced IT Minnestota Camp Explore The Works Museum Summer Programs Leonardos… Read More

Two of Minnesota’s Youngest App Developers Earn Exclusive Invitation to the White House

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 13, 2016) — Kasson-Mantorville Middle School students and Technovation Global Challenge participants Lydia Mindermann and Andrea Richards are presenting their family-friendly stress-reduction app at the 6th Annual White House Science Fair in Washington, D.C. on April 13 – showing off the fruits of more than a year of hard work in… Read More

Judges Needed – A Unique Opportunity

Guest post by Kate Boeckman, Judging Chair The Technovation Challenge season has three weeks to go, and on April 21st, the teams will be submitting their final projects. Technovation[MN] has been selected to be an Official Pitch Event for the Technovation Challenge, and with this honor we have the opportunity to judge the teams in… Read More

Call for Appapalooza Volunteers

Guest post from Rita Horrigan, Appapalooza Volunteer Coordinator Appapalooza 2016 will take place on Sunday, May 1 from 2-5pm at the Minneapolis Convention Center. We will need several volunteers to pull off this year’s event as we are expecting over 150 participants and 400 attendees! If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using… Read More

Submit your apps for $20K in prize money

We are a proud supporter of the 12th annual MN Cup AND the competition’s new YOUTH DIVISION! $20,000 in prize money available for MN’s young entrepreneurs. Learn more at carlsonschool.umn.edu/youthdivision. This new division for young people is about supporting and fostering a specific mindset around entrepreneurship. Young people who advance in the competition will benefit… Read More

Tara Chklovski to speak at Appapalooza

Exciting news!  Tara Chklovski, Founder and CEO of Iridescent, the organization that facilitates the Global Technovation Challenge in San Francisco, will speak at Appapalooza on May 1. Iridescent strives to bring the world’s most cutting edge STEM innovations to the world’s most needy children. It does this by relying heavily on scientists and engineers as well… Read More

2016 Registration is Open!

Calling all girls, mentors and coaches! Registration for the Global Technovation Challenge is now open. REGISTER FOR 2016 Every year, Technovation challenges girls all over the world to build a mobile app that will address a community problem. Since 2010, over 3,000 girls from 28 countries have submitted to Technovation, thanks to dedicated volunteers around… Read More

CodeGirl Debut!

We are so excited to share news of the new documentary CodeGirl, which follows Technovation teams during the 2015 season. Made by Lesley Chilcott (producer of An Inconvenient Truth and Waiting for Superman), this film aims to inspire more girls all over the world to pursue their interests in STEM and entrepreneurship. We want as… Read More

Transforming the World, One Mobile App at a Time

Technovation[MN] is a chapter of the global Technovation community and a key program of Code Savvy.  The goal of Technovation is to close the gender gap in computer science by inspiring and educating girls and young women on entrepreneurship, design and engineering in a fun and supportive environment.  Technovation provides a 12 week program that… Read More

Remembering Rebecca Schatz

With deep sadness and a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Rebecca Schatz, founder and executive director of Code Savvy, founder of The Works hands-on museum of engineering and catalyst behind Technovation[MN]. Rebecca passed away in her loving family’s arms on Monday, July 13, 2015. Rebecca touched so many people during her vibrant, innovative, and… Read More

Audience Choice Award goes to Furst Class Techies at the World Pitch Competition

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA – June 25, 2015) Technovation[MN] team, Furst Class Techies from Kasson-Mantorville, MN, not only won the Audience Choice Award but also received Honorable Mention in the Middle School Division at the World Pitch Technovation competition in San Francisco. This competition brings the finalists together from the Global Technovation Challenge, a technology entrepreneurship… Read More

Our Furst Class Techies Team Travels to San Francisco

Our Furst Class Techies Team Travels to San Francisco for Technovation’s 5th Annual International Mobile App Competition for Girls. Finalists will fly in from Nigeria, India, Brazil, Mexico, and the US to compete for $20,000 in prizes. SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On June 24th, 43 young women from around the world, including the Technovation[MN] team,… Read More

Technovation[MN] Middle School Team a Global Finalist

Technovation[MN] is pleased to announce that a team of three girls from Kasson-Mantorville (K-M) Middle School in Rochester, MN became just one of ten internationally that will compete in the annual Technovation Challenge finals in San Francisco on June 24-25. Watch the video of the K-M girls explaining their app The team of Rylee Melius,… Read More

Appapalooza Winners!

Appapalooza was a HUGE success! We had 22 middle school teams and 6 high school teams complete the 12-week curriculum and ‘pitch’ their app in front of an audience at Appapalooza on Sunday, May 3 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The house was full with over 400 supporters. The energy in the room was palpable…. Read More

Congratulations to this years teams!

The Technovation[MN] Board extends a hearty congratulations to all our Technovation[MN] teams. Most of you, 6 High School and 22 Middle School teams, completed and submitted your materials on time to Global. It was a fun and tough job to get it all done and you did it! What does this mean? We are able… Read More

Technovation Challenge World Pitch – June 25

This year Technovation[MN] will be able to send up to 4 teams into the semi-final round of the Technovation Challenge. From there 10 finalists will be chosen to present their apps at the Technovation Challenge World Pitch in San Francisco on June 25! More details on the World Pitch to come. In the meantime, our… Read More

Prizes needed for Appapalooza! Only 3 weeks to go

3 WEEKS TO GO and we NEED YOUR HELP! Help us make Appapalooza the most SPECTACULAR event the girls have ever experienced! For the past 10 weeks, 150 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 have been participating in the Technovation Challenge. Working in teams of 5, these girls are dreaming up, designing, coding… Read More

Appapalooza May 3 at Minneapolis Convention Center

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., April 9, 2015 – Minnesotans are invited to celebrate young women in technology by attending the Technovation[MN] Appapalooza event on May 3, 2015 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave S. The Appapalooza event features young women participating in the Technovation Challenge, a global technology entrepreneurship program…. Read More

Call for Judges

Guest post by Jean Weiss, Technovation[MN] Board Member Technovation Challenge season has a little over 4 weeks to go. On April 23rd, the teams will be submitting their work to Technovation Global. Technovation[MN] has been selected to be an Official Pitch Event for the Technovation Challenge and with this honor we have the opportunity to… Read More

It’s all in the numbers!

Guest post by Jean Weiss, Technovation[MN] Board Member 2015 is a big year for Technovation[MN]! We’ve exceeded even our own ambitious expectations. We have more coaches, mentors, and students than can fit into a minivan (or 40). Our teams stretch far and wide across the Twin Cities, the suburbs and into Rochester. Here are this… Read More

Recapping App Day: Trained and Ready to Rock!

Guest post from Melanie Shirley, Technovation[MN] Board Member We had a thrilling start to 2015 with another App Day! On Sunday, January 11, Technovation[MN] welcomed 28 girls and 21 mentors to the TIES Training Center to learn how to use App Inventor to code mobile apps. Enthusiasm ran high at this weekend’s event and the… Read More

Another Successful App Day

Guest post from Steve Morse, Technovation[MN] Board Member Thanks to the sponsorship and support of PeopleNet, CoderDojoTC and the TIES Training Center in Falcon Heights, Technovation[MN] was able to have an “App Day” this past Saturday, November 1, 2014. What an incredibly fun way to spend a Saturday morning! Nineteen young girls and 22 potential… Read More

Meet the 2014-2015 Leadership Board

I am extremely excited to announce that we have finalized our 2014-2015 Technovation[MN] Leadership Board. Innovation guru and master networker Jacqueline Byrd is joining us a Board Chair. We also have nine new committee chairs who are committed to our mission of enabling young women to transform the world one mobile app at at a… Read More

Technovation[MN] at the Minnesota State Fair with WCCO Radio

Hot summer sun, fried food of every kind, and yes, techie girls! We were at the Minnesota State Fair yesterday talking Technovation[MN] with Roshini Rajkumar of WCCO-Radio. Listen to the interview. Huge shout out to Roshini for helping us promote and grow Technovation[MN].

NOW RECRUITING FOR THE 2014-2015 LEADERSHIP TEAM

We are now recruiting volunteers for the 2014-2015 Technovation[MN] leadership team to mastermind the Technovation Challenge in Minnesota plus App Days for girls and the Appapalooza event. We seek strategic, action-oriented leaders passionate about engaging young women in technology and entrepreneurship. We are seeking leaders to fill the following positions: Chair, Marketing Chair, Fundraising and… Read More

Value The Power Of The Girl Inside

I am very pleased to include a guest post by Emma Lloyd. Emma was a Technovation[MN] Mentor for a team at Laura Jeffrey Academy this past year. She is a computer scientist, a business women and humanitarian. She is an amazing person giving much of her time to inspiring girls. Enjoy! Shawn Stavseth Co-Founder of… Read More

Rockin’ Appapalooza featured on Minnov8

Great post on Minnov8 by Phil Wilson who attended Appapalooza. I didn’t see him in Satori’s photo booth though. Next year Phil! Minnov8: Rockin’ Appapalooza Indeed we were rockin’ at this years Appapalooza with the help of DJ Brian Glad. Each team got to pick a theme song that was played before they gave their… Read More

Look we made the Minnesota Business Magazine

Technovation[MN] was highlighted in the Minnesota Business Magazine blog this week. Thank you Minnesota Business Magazine and Val Engler for supporting girls in tech. Minnesota Business – Inspiring Minnesota Girls Get Tech Crazy

Minnov8 Highlights Technovation[MN]

Wow, what a fantastic post by Graeme Thickins on Minnov8 regarding bringing Technovation here to Minnesota. Minnov8 – Helping Young Women Discover Entrepreneurship Minnov8 was started to focus on technology innovation in the State of Minnesota. Borne out of a frustration that there wasn’t a showcase for the talent, brainpower, creativity, and innovation that exists… Read More

Get your ticket!

Here are some upcoming opportunities for girls and young women interested in coding. All are free but registration is required, and space is limited, so register soon to avoid disappointment. We hope you can come have fun exploring computer science — and please spread the word to other girls and young women! Wednesday April 16… Read More

Come join us at Appapalooza!

Come see each team’s “pitch” for their app and get inspired by the accomplishments of professional women in technology. Good cause, good eats and prizes for the participants! Space is limited so get your ticket today. Celebrate young women in technology by joining us at Technovation[MN] Appapalooza on Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 3 to… Read More