The academies use challenge-based learning, a style of education that places students, not teachers, at the center of each lesson. Students are given challenges tied to broad topics like health, the city, or equality. Then they interview people in the communities they hope to help, using those insights to ensure people actually find their products useful. For the Malala Fund challenge, they'll focus on ways to increase girls' enrollment in school, skills development for teachers and students, and advocacy.

"We have been in close contact with Twitter as they plan their event," CTA's Chupka told CNN Tech in an email. "We are thrilled that our member company is championing women in tech and hosting a strong panel of women leaders. We are still finalizing our keynote lineup and will have further announcements in the coming days."