They will get the chance to try out coding at a sponsored “STEMettes” hackathon, as well as watch video messages from Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and other female role-models.
The conference will examine ways to highlight the diversity and appeal of careers in science and technology by challenging perceptions.
For instance, 60 per cent of girls aged 12 in the UK think that STEM subjects are too difficult, according to one recent survey. At the same time, 43 per cent of job vacancies requiring those skills result from a shortage of suitably qualified candidates, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills stated last summer.
Lorna Gibson, an honorary researcher at the University of Dundee and co-ordinator for Code Clubs in Scotland – which brings more digital experience to children – is playing a key role in the strategy to tempt more girls into these areas.
Ms Gibson, who will be among the speakers at the conference, works with about 150 Code Clubs across Scotland.
Their number has risen sharply in the last four years, with events and meetings staffed mainly by volunteers and teachers, operating in schools, libraries and community centres.
“What’s interesting is that at primary school, girls make up around 40 per cent of the Code Clubs, when you get to high school you are lucky to get 10 per cent,” Ms Gibson said.
“It is so important for young girls to see other girls taking part in these classes, to be taught by women and to have positive female role-models. Hopefully, the more girls come through the Code Clubs in primary school, the more will go on to study STEM subjects in secondary.”
Also speaking at the event will be Dr Raeanne Miller, a young Scottish scientist who is due to go on a unique women-only Antarctic exhibition.
Lucy Murdoch from Accenture Scotland, which is organising the event, said: “To increase the number of women in STEM careers we need to accelerate existing initiatives and introduce more to tackle the issue. We need to future-proof our own talent pipelines and this must start from the very earliest stages of education to instil the ‘can-do’ attitude in our girls that they have the ability to excel in STEM subjects and go on to enjoy fruitful careers in the sector.”