At the University of Palermo, a challenge combining coding, data, augmented reality, chemistry, Earth sciences and digital networks
Today, Tuesday 12 May, the campus of the University of Palermo is hosting the regional hackathon for Coding Girls & Women, the programme promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS to introduce the younger generation to STEAM disciplines and help reduce the gender gap in scientific and technological fields.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Centre for Innovation and Improvement in University Teaching (TLC-CIMDU) at the University of Palermo, involves primary and secondary schools in design, coding and teamwork activities. For the first time in Italy, the project also includes primary school children, fostering an interest in science, technology, digital creativity and discovery-based learning from an early age. Another new feature of the Palermo edition is the inclusion of earth sciences, with courses that bring together coding, data and the environment.
The figures illustrate the scale of the initiative: 6 educational streams, 8 university departments involved, 9 schools, over 300 pupils, supported by 60 tutors across secondary school courses and primary school activities. For secondary schools, 160 students are taking part, whilst for primary schools, 155 children are involved, accompanied by students from the Department of Primary Education.
For primary schools, the programme is dedicated to Augmented Reality and STEM Learning, with investigative and discovery-based activities designed to introduce children to physics, geometry and digital fabrication. The work is being presented in the main lecture theatre of Building 7, with the involvement of the Department of Psychological, Pedagogical, Physical Education and Training Sciences, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and the Department of Architecture. The morning also includes a visit to the Department of Architecture’s Fab Lab.
Secondary schools, meanwhile, are working on five challenges: Coding with Arduino, We Are the Data, Code&Rock, The Earth that Speaks in Code, How Does Data Travel? and The Chemistry Metaverse. Following the launch of the challenges, the groups will develop their projects in the classrooms of Building 19, before presenting them to the judging panels in the afternoon. The day concludes with an inspirational speech, an awards ceremony and closing remarks.
Coding Girls & Women is a national programme supported by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies under Notice 2/2024: it is an educational model that brings together universities, schools, the third sector and local communities. The aim is to develop scientific, technological and digital skills within an inclusive, creative and cooperative environment, capable of encouraging girls in particular to imagine their future in STEAM disciplines.
Coding Girls & Women in Palermo
Tuesday 12 May 2026, 9am–4pm
University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze
Primary schools
Building 7, Main Lecture Theatre, Department of Engineering
Secondary schools
Building 19, Main Lecture Theatre and classrooms 2, 4, 6, 8
12 May 2026 until 12 May
09:00 – 13:00
