A hackathon is typically a day to month-long event where coders, designers, engineers, leaders & subject-matter experts get together and work collaboratively to solve problems and pitch solutions to a group of judges and/or stakeholders. Lives can be changed after participating in a hackathon.
This hackathon is a day-long event for students in grades 6-12 interested in science, design and technology. It is free to attend, and all backgrounds are welcome. Students will work in diverse teams that address the theme of entertainment. This could include games, music, augmented reality or anything else you can imagine. Special prize eligibility for work that addresses social good through the theme.
Content and technical workshops will be provided by experts in these areas. Students are encouraged to bring laptops (although they are not required). Hardware, electronics & prototyping materials will be available for students to put together a proof of concept of their idea. At the end of the day, students will pitch their idea to a group of judges, and prizes will be awarded to the best idea and for presentations that satisfy a variety of specialized criteria. Meals and snacks are included.
This free event is open to all students grades 6 - 12 who have an interest in coding, design, tech, or solving real problems that affect their peers.
Good teams are made up of lots of different types of people. A good team for this event could be made up of:
Analyst - who can think of interesting solutions to the problems we are focused on.
Storytellers - who can craft a video showcasing their team and their product.
Designers - who can make beautiful, usable, and elegant things.
Engineers - who can code a simple prototype for their team.
If you don't know much about a certain topic, don’t worry! Learning is a big part of this experience. We will have workshops on subjects that will help you figure out a problem to solve and to develop skills, and mentors will be on hand to guide you along the way.
Some parking is available near the event, but carpooling, taking public transportation or ridesharing is always cooler.
You are not required to bring anything. Meals and snacks will be provided and devices will be available. However, if you have a laptop, tablet, or mobile device that you’re comfortable using - bring it!
It’s not about winning - it’s about learning, having fun, and finding a way to make a difference in your community! In addition, three prizes will be awarded to teams chosen by a judging panel based on criteria such as technical difficulty, creativity, and feasibility. Prizes will be awarded to each individual from the winning teams!