Welcome to InnovateHer <online>

The InnovateHer Online course is a 6 week programme for 13-16 year old girls wanting to learn tech skills and find out more about the industry. Our ‘Foundation in Tech for Good’ programme has been designed and developed by key industry partners and experts. The programme is a bitesize version of the longer course we’ve been delivering in schools for 4 years. Students will be creating tech solutions for people affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. They will be taught by an industry expert working in the tech / digital field.

Students will learn key skills required in the tech industry, which are not currently taught in schools. In this Foundation Tech For Good course, they will learn User Experience (UX) skills and how to approach the solving of a real-world problem using technology.

The topics and skills we cover are:

Research and analytical – map out audiences and user groups and create empathy maps to better understand their needs
Ideation and design – coming up with creative ideas and solutions to help those affected by Covid-19 and producing sketches for the pitch
Teamwork and collaboration – working individually and collaboratively in a team to produce materials for a pitch
Presentation and pitching – students present their ideas using video to their Mentor and cohort
Confidence and self belief – interacting with other team members and pitching your ideas builds confidence!

Each student has the opportunity to submit their idea, which will be considered in the competition to win a work experience placement with one of our industry partners.

In an online cohort of up to 5 fellow students, led and facilitated by an industry expert Mentor alongside the InnovateHer team.

In this Online experience the students will be presented with a ‘brief’ – real-world problems which are related to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Through online weekly video calls with their Mentor and fellow students, the Mentor will guide students through how to solve / hack a problem using technology as a part of the solution.

To do this, the Mentor teaches students how to apply UX principles and methodologies which are currently used in industry.

Students will be required to attend a virtual meeting with their mentor once a week for 30 – 45 minutes. They will then be set a challenge to complete in their own time (approx 30 mins to 1 hour) which they report back on the following week. They may choose to spend more time on their competition entries too.

We are trialling a price of £50. Should this pilot be successful, we will provide free places to those who cannot afford it in future. If you would like to pay it forward and support a girl to access a place, please contact us. We are also exploring partnerships with other third parties to enable us to provide access to devices so that the course is accessible to all.

Up to 5 girls per group. This means that the mentor can easily manage and facilitate the weekly sessions.

The winner(s) of the competition will be given a work experience placement at a partner organisation of InnovateHer.
Girls can mix with other like-minded girls from all over the world during the programme.
Cohorts are no more than 5 girls to ensure an optimal learning experience.
Girls are coached by an industry expert working in the tech and digital field.
Access to the InnovateHer login portal for resources.
We have a track record in delivering specialist education for girls. All of our mentors are DBS checked, trained and have completed safeguarding certifications online.
Girls can join a wider community of InnovateHers!

When you have signed up and completed the payment for the course, we will email you the expected start date of your programme. The first cohort will start in May. We only have 15 places across three cohorts, so if you’re interested we recommend booking your place now!

Our community have kindly been donating and sponsoring places so that those who are eligible can access the course for free.

We want to reach a wide range of girls, especially those who wouldn’t consider themselves interested in technology. The criteria for gaining a free place are:

Whether your child is eligible for free school meals / pupil premium?
Whether your child is aged between 13-16?
Your postcode area – we want to have a wide geographic distribution amoungst those who have access to the course.

If you don’t have access to a suitable device for your child, we have partnered with the Princes Trust to provide devices in some areas, so please indicate this on the form. We can also provide WiFi access via dongles preloaded with a data allowance.

Follow the link above to apply.

Terms and conditions apply: The Princes Trust can only currently offer this in the Greater Manchester area. Do let us know if you are in need and live outside of this area as we may still be able to help source a device for you via other partners.

The ownership of the girls ideas, concepts and designs remains with them as the creators. We may share creations with our partners from time to time and publish them on our social media channels. If any of our partners or external organisations wish to progress with developing an idea, they will need to seek permission from us and the individual concerned first.

If you don’t have access to a suitable device for your child, we have partnered with the Princes Trust to provide devices in some areas, so please indicate this on the form. We can also provide WiFi access via dongles preloaded with a data allowance.

Terms and conditions apply: The Princes Trust can only currently offer this in the Greater Manchester area for those aged 13 – 16. In Merseyside it is limited to those aged 16+ only.

Do let us know if you are in need and live outside of this area as we may still be able to help source a device for you. We have other partners who can help and we are also working with Local Authorities to try to plug any gaps in provision.

All students have the chance to enter their ideas into our competition to win a work experience placement at one of our prestigious partner organisations.

Ideas, concepts, drawings and other creations will always be treated with respect and girls will be credited and retain ownership of their ideas. See our FAQ on what happens to the designs submitted.

During the programme girls will be guided through how to submit their work for judging, it will involve producing some sketches, written content and a short 1 to 2 minute film about their idea.

Thank you for asking! Please click on the link above to donate a place. It will take you to our secure payment gateway. We’ll then make sure that the place is allocated to someone in need and that they are also provided with a free device and internet access, if needed.

We’ll stay in touch with you to let you know when we’ve allocated your free place and keep you updated.