Christina Chen, Year 11, earned her spot on Australia’s first-ever team for the European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI).

This prestigious competition, held in Veldhoven, Netherlands, from 21 -27 July 2024, brought together 195 talented young women worldwide to showcase their skills in competitive programming. Christina’s dedication and talent in informatics led her to achieve a remarkable result, earning a Bronze Medal and placing 65th overall.

Christina’s journey into coding began early, “in Year 2, I picked up making games online with block-coding applications,” she shared. Her father, a software engineer, supported her budding interest by helping her set up an account after she purchased a book on making computer games. Although initially she put coding aside after struggling with the transition from block coding to typed code, she reignited her passion in Year 9 during a Digital Design class where she learned Python. This rekindled interest led her to participate in the Australian Informatics Olympiad that same year, marking the beginning of her competitive programming journey.

In informatics, competitors are tasked with solving complex problems by creating a series of instructions that work across various scenarios. The process is rigorous and time-based, requiring both precision and speed. Christina excelled in these challenges, progressing through a series of competitions and camps that ultimately led to her selection for the EGOI team. She attended a 10-day program at the Australian National University (ANU) and later participated in an intensive camp at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in April 2024. Her dedication and hard work culminated in representing Australia on the international stage.

Reflecting on her experience at EGOI, Christina expressed her excitement about the opportunities the competition provided. “It was really good. I got to meet many people, and it was my first time in Europe,” she said. The chance to connect with other young women who share her passion for coding and mathematics was significant. “Before EGOI, I didn’t know many girls who liked to code or enjoyed the Maths side of coding. It was new to me, and it was nice to learn together.”

The gender imbalance in informatics competitions is stark, with only a small proportion of participants at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) being girls. Christina is proud to be part of the inaugural Australian team at EGOI, helping to pave the way for future generations of young women in computer science. “There is a clear skill disparity,” she noted, “but everyone in our team only started less than a year prior, and we’ve all learned so much together.”

Christina’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. The Australian Maths Trust, in a letter to the Principal of Korowa, Mrs Frances Booth, highlighted her success, stating,

“Christina achieved a Bronze Medal in the competition and placed 65th overall out of 195 contestants. This is an incredible result and very worthy of recognition and celebration. Christina should be very proud of her achievements and for pioneering future generations of young women in computer science.”

Additionally, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley, congratulated Christina, acknowledging the significance of her accomplishment.

Looking ahead, Christina plans to continue her studies in Computer Science and Mathematics. Her journey is a testament to the power of courage, curiosity, and integrity, and she stands as a role model for other young women aspiring to make their mark in the world of Technology. Christina is defying expectations!