DETROIT – Registration for the Michigan Council of Women In Technology Foundation’s 12th annual website design competition – now open to middle as well as high school girls – is open until Oct. 31.

Last year, 144 competitors from 30 schools vied for cash prizes. More students can participate since the competition is now available to middle-school girls. 

“We proudly host the longest-running website design competition for high school – and now also middle school – girls in the state of Michigan,” said Carey Pachla, MCWT Foundation president. “Each year, MCWT Foundation and its robust village of partner companies look forward to this program that introduces more girls to IT.” 

Providing critical support are Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Blue Care Network, returning as second-year competition sponsors, and Ally Financial.    

“This is one of our most popular programs that spark girls’ interest in technology,” said Kim Cross, MCWT development director. “Over the years, we’ve grown the program and scaled it geographically. Our first competition included one high school with an MCWT GET-IT after-school technology club. Now we tap into our vast network of 70 IT leaders to judge statewide entries.” 

Judges from MCWT’s partner companies volunteer their time to examine the entries and select the finalists. These finalists then show their sites to six judges, comprised of area CIOs and executives. 

Contestants can enter individually or with one other team member. MCWT offers an optional free training session on topics such as usability, design and coding. More details, including a variety of website design tips and tools for would-be developers of all ages, is available at www.mcwtwebdesign4girls.net/.  

First-place prizes are as follows: 

  • Middle school: $200
  • High school beginner category: $400
  • High school advanced category: $750 
  • MCWT also awards cash prizes to second and third place winners and honorable mentions in each category. Since 2006, the competition has drawn more than 1,000 competitors and awarded $23,400 in cash prizes.  

Find more information at www.mcwt.org