10 Years of ChickTech
ChickTech was founded in 2012 to engage youth and adults of marginalized genders in the technology industry while working to create a better technology culture for all. We build communities, empower participants to see themselves as leaders, and provide networking and mentoring opportunities in a rapidly growing industry. ChickTech has made a direct impact on tens of thousands of people of all genders, ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Years of ChickTech
In 2022, we reached our first ten-year milestone! ChickTech was founded in 2012 by Janice Levenhagen-Seeley, a software engineer who had the strength and foresight to create the community and organization she wished she had access to in her own education and career.
Participants
We’re building a national community that brings together thousands of youth and adults of all genders annually through our events and workshops. By connecting and supporting each other, we all have more strength to push change in our own lives and in the technology community.
Events
ChickTech events and workshops support the careers and confidence of both youth and adults in STEM. From our yearly ACT-W Conference to monthly hands-on, tech-centric workshops, we empower today’s and tomorrow’s innovators and tech leaders.
New Volunteers
Our new volunteer model focuses on task- and project-based roles, allowing for even more flexibility in giving back. This year, we welcomed about
250 amazing new volunteers to our community!
US States Served
ChickTech currently serves youth and adults in 34 US states and 15 countries around the world! Our list of program sites reflects the ever-changing ebb and flow of local programs based on the availability and networks of our passionate, hard-working volunteers.
Raised
Through generous donations and sponsorships from corporations and individuals, we raised nearly $450,000. This allowed us to strengthen our programs, impacting hundreds of students and adults served across the country as we continued changing the culture of technology for the better.
Stats and figures from our 2021/2022 fiscal year annual report (view here).
A crucial aspect of all our programs is finding women and non-binary individuals who would not otherwise have thought of themselves as capable of succeeding in a high-tech career. Many people of marginalized genders do not reach their potential in STEM because they think it is too difficult—or do not have role models in the field. By increasing our participants’ self-confidence and interest in technology, we increase the number of adults and youth of marginalized genders who aspire to technology careers, shaping the workforce of today AND tomorrow to have the diverse skills and perspectives needed for the industry to thrive.
ChickTech believes that providing access to technology education for girls and non-binary kids is critical, both to the industry and to their lives. We provide learning opportunities and a supportive community to students of marginalized genders to broaden tech participation and provide equitable opportunities for all.
ACT-W (Advancing the Careers of Technical Women) is a series of woman-focused, continued education and social events held throughout the year, including networking events, online and in-person workshops, conferences, and our membership platform. Whether you’re launching a new career or are a seasoned professional, ACT-W events help build technical and professional expertise while creating a supportive community welcoming of all genders.
ChickTech helps companies create a more empowered and inclusive workplace. When companies partner with ChickTech they demonstrate that they are responsible leaders working to create a world in which people want to do business, and a world in which people want to live.
Zooming Toward Equality with Bumblebee Racing
Post Date : September 14, 2023
The Bumblebee Racing Team, an all-girls F1 in Schools team, is passionate about helping other young women gain interest and skills in tech. Hear from one of their crew about her journey into STEM—and how you can get involved in STEM, too!
Post Date : April 19, 2023
For Volunteer Appreciation Week 2023, we asked the ChickTech team to highlight a volunteer they work with who makes a huge difference. Thank you to all of our incredible supporters and volunteers for making an impact every day!
