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Coding for change: Teens design apps for social good and learn about tech careers at one-day bootcamp
J.P. Morgan’s flagship youth programme, GenerationTech, fosters young women’s tech skills through app development, problem-solving and teamwork, while offering insights into cybersecurity and emerging innovations
Encouraging more women in technology strengthens Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, says Minister of State Sun Xueling, pictured here with participants of J.P. Morgan’s GenerationTech programme, which inspires girls to pursue tech careers. PHOTO: J.P. MORGAN
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Building a good app isn't just about writing code. Developers need to first understand the problems people face before they can come up with apps that are relevant and easy to use.
These are among the key learnings 200 girls from 40 schools in Singapore took away following a full-day event held on July 12 at J.P. Morgan’s Singapore Technology Center that was aimed at encouraging more women to pursue careers in technology.
Guided by technologists from J.P. Morgan, the girls, aged 13 to 18, were divided into 29 teams of six and seven and tasked to come up with tech solutions to address three of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – Good Health and Wellbeing; Reduced Inequalities; and Life Below Water.
The teams spent the day collaborating on projects, applying creativity and tech skills to develop solutions for these global challenges. At the event’s conclusion, Mr Denver Scott, regional lead for Infrastructure Platforms (Asia Pacific) and Singapore Technology Center Lead at J.P. Morgan, emphasised the impact of their work.
“Working in teams, as you did today, and working with your mentors to solve real-world issues – things like poverty, climate, inequality, health issues and pollution – can give you a better appreciation of how you can use the power of technology to do good,” he told the participants.
One of the winning teams, Coastal Connect, proposed getting organisations to adopt stretches of beaches and compete to see who could maintain the cleanest stretch as a way to tackle marine pollution.
Another winner, Bump Buddy, wanted to support expectant mothers at various stages of their pregnancies and link them with social organisations if needed, while My Immigration won the judges over with their solution to help new immigrants settle in Singapore.
Closing gender gap in tech
Now in its fourth year in Singapore, the GenerationTech programme aims to address the gender gap in technology. J.P. Morgan’s flagship youth outreach teaches young women more than just technology tools, focusing also on developing transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, design and effective communication.
Hear from three GenerationTech participants
Designing innovative products to solve problems
Iris Ng (seated), a repeat GenerationTech participant, values both the practical skills and friendships gained through the one-day programme. PHOTO: J.P. MORGAN
Iris Ng, a Secondary 2 student at Cedar Girls’ Secondary School, attended GenerationTech for the second consecutive year as she valued the practical skills gained from the sessions and welcomed the opportunity to make friends with other girls who shared her interest in maths and science.
“I learnt problem solving and analytical skills from the mentors and my teammates. Additionally, I learnt presentation skills and teamwork,” she said.
She describes her mother, who works in technology, as her role model and says she wanted to do the same when she grows up.
Iris’ interest in problem solving extends beyond computers. In school, she is part of a social innovation team that designed a multi-functional trolley for the elderly that could double up as a chair. This year, she is involved in a project to design a “multi mega marker” with different colours that a teacher can use with one hand.
Picking up entrepreneurial skills
A budding entrepreneur with an online business, Nadrah’Azura (seated), said that GenerationTech’s app development lessons will help her become a better businesswoman in an increasingly tech-driven world. PHOTO: J.P. MORGAN
Nadrah’Azura Mohammad Rahmat, of Bartley Secondary School, says the lessons learnt during GenerationTech such as creating app mockups and prototypes will help her become a better entrepreneur. The Secondary 2 student is already a budding businesswoman who holds occasional sales of handmade bookmarks, bracelets and charms on Instagram.
“The mentors and the other girls were so welcoming. I got to learn so much stuff… I am so thankful to my school for opening up this opportunity for me.”
Nadrah’Azura said her parents wanted her to join GenerationTech because they believed technology would play an even more important role in future.
“I’m the eldest of five siblings. My parents expect me to be the role model at home, and they encourage me to get exposed to the outside world which is becoming more tech-driven.”
Self-taught coder who found her voice
Being older and more experienced in project work than other participants, Pari Shrivastava (middle), found leadership opportunities and inspiration at GenerationTech. PHOTO: J.P. MORGAN
Pari Shrivastava, a JC 2 arts student at Yishun Innova Junior College, is a late convert to tech, having taught herself coding during the past year by learning html and python through mobile applications during her daily commute to school.
Being older and more experienced in project work than the other girls in her team, GenerationTech gave her an opportunity to take a leadership role as well as learn how to use the mockup tools needed to produce app prototypes.
Having once feared science subjects, Pari is now considering a career in tech and hopes she can get an internship at J.P. Morgan as she was impressed by the firm’s resources and flexible work culture that prioritizes employees’ well-being.
Pari said GenerationTech is unique as the event was only for girls. Of the 42 J.P. Morgan technologists who volunteered as mentors and judges, more than 80 per cent were women.
“At the other Stem events I’ve been to, there’s always more guys than girls,” she said. “Just the fact that I’m here and there are so many other girls who have similar interests is really encouraging. I’m really grateful to be here.”
GenerationTech is supported by SG Women in Tech – an initiative driven by the Infocomm Media Development Authority to attract, retain and develop female talent in Singapore’s tech industry.
Women currently account for about one-third of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) workforce in Singapore, up from 28.8 per cent in 2013, a report by the Ministry of Social and Family Development earlier this year showed.
J.P. Morgan opened this year’s event to students from junior colleges, increasing the pool of eligible participants.
As in the previous year, GenerationTech included students from Career Connect, a J.P. Morgan global philanthropic programme to inspire young women, especially those from underserved communities, to pursue careers in Stem.
GenerationTech fosters skills and lifelong friendships, says Minister of State Sun Xueling, highlighting the programme’s role in advancing women in STEM careers. PHOTO: J.P. MORGAN
Not a ‘zero sum game’
Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony for the winning teams, Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State at the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), thanked J.P. Morgan for being “a fantastic corporate citizen” in its support of Singapore’s efforts to get more women in Stem-related jobs.
She also stressed that gender equality “is not a zero-sum game”.
“When men and women partner each other as equals, there will be synergies that at the end of the day bode well for the whole of society,” she said.
The Minister of State had some career advice for participants, in particular the importance of friends and networks. For instance, GenerationTech should not just be about the skills and experience gained but also the friendships forged during the event.
“It is these friendships that will last for life and keep you company even when the going gets tough,” she said.
