Dominate the School Year with MCWT’s Statewide Top Tech Competition!
The 2025-2026 Girls Hack IT competition is designed for middle and high school girls (grades 6–12) residing in the State of Michigan who want to build skills, gain confidence, and have fun turning your ideas into action. Participants will learn to code, develop, and deploy their own Android mobile apps using MIT App Inventor. This twelve – week competition includes virtual hands-on training sessions guiding students toward success and the final hackathon.
Competition Theme: Tech for Good
This year’s theme, Tech for Good, challenges you to design a mobile app that tackles a social, environmental, school, or community issue. Build skills, gain confidence, and have fun turning your ideas into action!
Compete on your own or team up with friends for this fun and inspiring competition. Don’t miss the chance to turn your ideas into action!
A parent or guardian must complete the registration on behalf of their daughter in order for her/their to participate in the competition.
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Program Benefits:
- Learn mobile app development (global variables, procedures, and data storage).
- Combine creativity with technology for skill-building and confidence.
- Enhance communication and presentation skills.
Virtual Informational Meeting:
November 6, 2026 6:00PM
Interested in learning more? Sign-up here to register for the information meeting.
Program Outline:
Registration: October 1 through December 20, 2025 11:55PM
Saturday Training/Help Session Schedule
(Must be registered to attend)
- Saturdays in November 8, 15, and 22, 2025
- Saturdays in December 6, 13, and 20, 2025
- Saturdays in January 10, 17, and 24, 2026
Help Session Only
(Must be registered to attend)
- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
App Submission Period
January 24 through February 9, 2026 11:55 PM
Final App Submission Due By
February 9, 2026 at 11:55 PM
First Round Review Period
February 10-24, 2026
Finalist Announcement
February 25, 2026
Finalist Showcase:
Saturday, March 14, 2026
In-Person or Virtual
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: TBD
During the Finalist Showcase, finalists will demonstrate their mobile apps to industry professionals and compete for prizes.
Requirements for Participation
- Must be a Michigan Resident
- An adult coach for each team (teacher or parent is acceptable)
- The coach will receive communications from Girls Hack IT, guide their team, and provide moral support – no technical experience needed
- A device for coding (i.e. laptop or desktop). No iPads or tablets.
- Ability to download and upload MIT App Inventor Files
- Internet access to participate in training sessions
- A personal Google Account (parent or student) to create MIT App Inventor account
- A device for testing (i.e., Smart phone or tablet)
- Android device preferred for best experience
- Device does not require cellular connection, only WiFi connectivity required
No prior coding experience is needed – beginners are welcome!
There is no cost to participate in the competition.
For additional competition details, see the Scoring Criteria
Competition Awards
| Middle School | High School |
| 1st Place: $700 | 1st Place: $1,000 |
| 2nd Place: $500 | 2nd Place: $600 |
| 3rd Place: $300 | 3rd Place: $400 |
| Honorable Mention: $100 | Honorable Mention: $200 |
Sponsored by:
Send questions to: GirlsHack@mcwt.org
Girls Hack IT – is an exciting program designed for middle and high school girls eager to explore the world of coding and technology. This program offers a unique opportunity to learn how to develop and deploy real-world solutions in a fun, supportive, and upbeat environment. Through a hybrid model, students gain hands-on experience and receive online mentorship, which plays a crucial role in preparing them for the competition. Girls will not only build their tech skills but also develop confidence and teamwork, setting them up for success in their tech future.
