Codettes InnoStarter Program

Empowering Future Innovators in IT & Innovation in Suriname

About Codettes

Founded in October 2017, Codettes is a youth-led initiative passionately committed to empowering young women and fostering inclusivity in IT and innovation. Officially established as the Codettes Foundation in February 2018, our programs include hackathons, bootcamps, networking events, and targeted capacity-building sessions.

Our Mission

At Codettes, we’re all about inspiring young people—especially girls—to explore their creativity and become confident innovators in technology. We’re passionate about nurturing a community where everyone, no matter their background, can build tech skills, dream big, and positively impact the world around them. By fostering skills, empathy, and sustainability, we empower youth to shape a brighter, more balanced future—for themselves, their communities, and our planet.

What is the InnoStarter Program?

The InnoStarter Program is an immersive and hands-on STEM and innovation training experience designed specifically for young people aged 14 and above. Over two months, students dive into the exciting world of technology and engineering through a creative, maker-based approach. The program inspires and empowers students to become innovative problem-solvers, providing them with essential digital and practical skills they can carry forward into their future careers.

Program Highlights:

• Inclusive Cohorts: Each group includes 12 students, intentionally balanced with 60% girls and 40% boys, creating an inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and diversity.
• Empowering Opportunities: Priority is given to students from underserved backgrounds who have limited or no previous experience with IT or digital fabrication, ensuring broader access and meaningful impact.
• Real-World Learning: Students participate in engaging projects, hands-on workshops, and collaborative team challenges designed to build skills in electronics, robotics, digital fabrication, and innovation thinking.

Through guided mentorship and practical tasks, participants will gain confidence in their abilities and unlock their full potential as creators and innovators.

Skills Gained

Throughout the InnoStarter Program 16 sessions, students engage in dynamic, practical sessions designed to develop foundational skills and encourage creativity. Participants will actively apply their learning through projects covering:

• Electronics & Embedded Programming (Arduino & Engineering Kits)
• Robotics Fundamentals (Sensors, Motors, LEDs, Microcontrollers)
• Digital Fabrication (2D Sketching, CAD Modeling, 3D Printing)
• Innovation Thinking (Prototyping, Teamwork, Presentation Skills)

Students will also:

• Create a digital portfolio documenting their journey
• Develop a fully functional embedded prototype
• Pitch their innovation on Graduation Day
• Earn a Codettes Certificate of Completion

Key Learning Outcomes

By participating in the InnoStarter Program, students will acquire not only technical knowledge but also essential life skills that equip them to thrive in both academic and professional settings.

Key learning outcomes include:

• Logical & Analytical Thinking
• Digital & Technical Literacy
• Engineering Basics
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Team Collaboration
• Enhanced Confidence & Communication Skills

Join Us in Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovators

By sponsoring the Codettes InnoStarter Program, you directly contribute to nurturing future engineers, designers, and technology leaders. Your support fosters gender equality, educational empowerment, and innovative thinking in Suriname.

Let’s inspire the next generation—together.