Meet Racha BIA,Technovation Regional Ambassador

My name is Racha BIA, a pharmacist and a computer science engineer. I work actually as a pharmacy manager. I have been selected for the Techwomen program in 2014 by the US embassy in Algeria. I was introduced to the Technovation challenge while I was in San Francisco in 2014.

Later, I mentored a team in Tunisia for the Technovation Tunisia chapter. In 2017, I launched Technovation Thailand for the (2017-2018) season, we were able to have more than 70 girls registered and more than 10 submissions. I was then finally able to launch Technovation Algeria in late 2018.

What is Technovation ?

Technovation is an international Tech competition for girls between 10 and 18 years old.It Equips young women (ages 10-18) to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. With the support of volunteer mentors, girls work in teams to code mobile apps that address real-world problems. Technovation invites teams of girls from all over the world to learn and apply the skills needed to solve real-world problems through technology.

Why Technovation ?

I love this program, because it allows me to give the opportunity to girls, to be able to create. Those girls have many creative ideas and dreams, they just don’t know how to realize them; and this program is right here to guide them, teach them and allow them to have a positive impact in their community. Imagine how this program will allow them to be leaders and models for other younger girls, will give them access to studies and majors they thought they couldn’t access because they are girls.

How does it work ?

The program works in many steps, to help the girls be organized and to teach them how to create an app from scratch.

The first step will allow them to create a plan, build a team and find a mentor.

After that, the girls are asked to get to know their community, the problems they face, and how to best solve a problem with a mobile phone. They will also choose an app builder to build their app.

Then they will follow these steps:

1. Come up with a solution to the problem, and do some marketing research to make sure it's the best solution possible. Learn some basics of programming.

2. Plan out the best way to tackle the solution. Create a business around their app idea and write a mission statement. Learn about event handlers.

3. Wrap up their idea with a project canvas. Solve their first coding challenge and learn about branding.

4. Learn how to visually express their business's identity, learn about variables and lists.

5. Brand their app and learn about conditionals.

6. Continue coding the app and create the business model.

7. Learn about loops and sensors and write the business plan.

8. Learn to code databases & APIs, and create the pitch video.

9. Practice pitching their idea and prepare their submission materials

10.Submit for competition!

There will be after the deadline, a regional pitch for each country and the winners will qualify for the international semi-finals. Then, the final will happen in San Francisco, where all the finalists will benefit from a fully funded trip from their home country.

How to participate?

Participation is free for everyone, if you are a girl between 10 and 18 years old, you can go to technovationchallenge website and register as a student, you can create a team with your friends or join another one. Each team must one mentor or two.

How to get involved as mentor ?

Mentors can also register via the same link technovationchallenge

Our global community of girls, mentors, ambassadors, parents and judges are curious, creative, and determined to change the world using technology. Most join with no previous tech experience. They can all learn how to code and create a mobile app that solves a problem they care about – or support a team that does.

What is your role a regional ambassador of Technovation in Algeria ?

As a regional ambassador, I help Technovation Girls grow!

WE dedicate 40+ hours a month to build the Technovation Girls community in their area. We recruit girls and mentors and we organize events to help the participants complete their projects.

My main roles are to:

· Conduct community outreach and participant recruitment with local sites serving disadvantaged or underrepresented youth.

· Support teams through the season to register, learn and submit.

· Share updates about the region with the Technovation team.

· As needed, recruit mentors from local corporations and universities to volunteer their time helping teams.

· As needed, organize local events such as launch workshop