2026 Girls in Tech Conference Workshops
Maker Bean: 3D Printing
Come learn about the art of 3D design and printing with The Maker Bean Cafe team! During this workshop, you’ll learn how to:
+ Use a 3D design tool to create objects in space
+ Find existing 3D models online
+ Get your design ready for 3D printing
+ Load and operate a 3D printer
Enter a raffle to win your own 3D prints, which we'll have ready at our Maker Bean Cafe at 1052 Bloor Street West!
Girls Make Games: Intro to Mobile Game Development & Game Art
Welcome to the world of mobile game development in Unity! You’ll learn the basics of mobile games and learn from an expert as they demo a game ported to an Android device! We'll also dive into a fun digital game art activity in Piskel. Come learn with a professional game developer from Girls Make Games and be prepared to ask questions!
Hackergal: Gender Bias in AI
This workshop will guide learners through the importance of critical thinking when interacting with AI, with a focus on identifying and understanding gender bias in AI systems and technology.
Google CS First
In this workshop, students use code to bring a name to life. Using Scratch, a programming language that uses “blocks” to build code, they make a name come to life through animation, sound and music. It can be a nickname, the name of a favorite sports team, place, activity, or anything else kids can think of-encourage them to use their imaginations!
Your Voice is Power
This workshop offers a unique opportunity for students to blend the creative worlds of hip-hop music production and Python coding. Using the EarSketch platform, they'll remix beats from iconic artists like Pharrell and Alicia Keys, and discover fresh samples from talented Indigenous artists from across Canada like Samian, Dakota Bear, Jaylee Wolf, Aysanabee, Twin Flames and Dr. Duke Redbird. We'll be fostering critical conversations about social justice using content developed by Black and Indigenous educators, encouraging participants to explore and address real-world issues through the lens of music and technology.
Students will leave this lesson with a solid grasp of EarSketch basics, ready to create their own music and let their voice be heard, inspiring them to enter the 'Your Voice Is Power' contest, with a chance to win a $5000 scholarship.
Switch Animation: Toon Boom Harmony Animation
The Animation Lounge Workshop is a project-based learning environment where young people have a chance to be inspired by the union of art and technology.
We will build an animated scene while learning teamwork and we will also take a look behind the scenes of an animated feature.
Microbits
Using the Microbit microcontroller, students learn the basics of controlling electricity. Microbits are pocket-sized computers that can be creatively customized and controlled through synced code. They can be used to create robots, musical instruments and more.
Teachable Machines
In this hands-on workshop, participants use Google’s Teachable Machine to create a simple recycling classifier. Working with everyday items, participants will collect and label data, train a model, and test how well it can distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable materials. We will discuss how lighting, backgrounds, camera angles, and surrounding environments affect model accuracy. Participants will discuss real-world challenges in waste sorting, reflect on how AI can support sustainability efforts, and consider the limitations and biases of AI in environmental applications. The session combines experimentation with critical thinking about technology and its role in protecting our environment.