High5Girls Denmark: building confidence, community and curiosity in STEM

When people talk about getting more girls into digital and STEM, the conversation often centres on what’s missing:
confidence, role models, encouragement and opportunities. Across the Code Week community, we also see inspiring
initiatives that are already changing the narrative, one workshop, one mentor, and one “I can do this” moment at a time.

As we look ahead to Girls in Digital Week (23–27 March 2026), we’re shining a spotlight on
High5Girls Denmark, a Danish non-profit organisation helping girls and young women aged 9 to 19 explore
science, technology and innovation through hands-on experiences and a strong sense of belonging.

Changing the story for girls in STEM

High5Girls exists to make STEM feel possible, relevant and exciting for girls. Their purpose is to increase girls’
self-confidence in STEM subjects, challenge stereotypes, and inspire more young women to pursue education and careers
in technology and science. They approach STEM as a space for creativity, collaboration and real-world problem-solving.

What High5Girls offers

High5Girls runs activities designed to spark curiosity and build skills, while also creating a supportive environment
where girls feel they belong.

Their programme includes:

• STEM events and activities such as workshops, camps and “Go-to-Science” afternoons, where participants
  meet role models, try experiments and build practical projects.
• A role model programme that connects girls with women who have experience in STEM education and careers.
• A social community and network so girls can meet like-minded peers and grow their interests together.
• A friendship association where supporting members can contribute to the mission.
• Events across Denmark, including summer activities, mother and daughter sessions, social gatherings and
  workshops in several cities, including Copenhagen, Odense, Sønderborg and Aarhus.

The result is a model that combines learning with community, because confidence grows faster when you’re not doing it alone.

Meet Marianne Andersen

High5Girls was founded in 2018 by Marianne Andersen, a qualified electrical engineer with a BSc and an Executive MBA.
She has more than 25 years of international experience in the medtech and technology industry, working in product development and
business development, often as one of very few women in technical roles.

Inspired by time spent in Silicon Valley and a commitment to improving diversity in tech, Marianne built High5Girls to show that
technology can be creative, hands-on and empowering. High5Girls offers activities such as coding and robotics events, weekend and
summer camps, role model networks, mother and daughter workshops, and partnerships with educational institutions. The aim is to build
girls’ self-confidence and help change stereotypes.

Marianne is also the CEO of RoboInsights: How do we live with Robots?, an initiative that promotes the visibility of women in tech
and supports those beginning a tech journey. Her work is not only about representation. It is also about reshaping how we think about
technology as something connected to people, nature and making the world better.

Her leadership has been recognised through awards including the Agnes and Betsy Award (2020) and
Nordic Women in Tech Advocate of the Year (2023). She has also been a proud part of the Code Week community as the
Code Week Danish Coding Ambassador since 2024.

Why this matters for Girls in Digital Week

Girls in Digital Week is about creating space for girls to explore digital skills with confidence. Initiatives like High5Girls show what
can happen when girls are supported with role models, hands-on experiences and a welcoming community.

From camps and workshops to mentoring and peer networks, High5Girls demonstrates a simple truth:
participation grows where belonging grows.

Get involved in Girls in Digital Week 2026

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, youth leader, volunteer or organisation, you can be part of
Girls in Digital Week (23–27 March 2026). Host a coding activity, run a creative digital workshop, invite role models to speak,
or create a space where girls can try something new together.

Ready to take part?

• Learn more and get involved: codeweek.eu/girls-in-digital-week
• Discover High5Girls Denmark: high5girls.dk
• And enjoy the Code Week Role-Model database developed by the European Centre for Women and Technology – ECWT that functions as the Coordinator of the Nordic Regional Hub: codeweek.ecwt.eu, and will be officially launched to the public on the first day of Girls in Digital Week, 23 March 2026.

Let’s make sure the girls who are curious today have the confidence, community and opportunities to become the digital creators of tomorrow.