With projects designed to restore our ocean鈥檚 coral reefs and improving clean water accessibility鈥揳nd two $15,000 grants to boot鈥91视频 students are generating creative solutions to combat climate change.
A Hackathon for Everyone
View the full issue of 91视频 Magazine.
What is a hackathon? It鈥檚 a timed, team-based problem-solving day of strategy and execution where tech is used to save the day. Teams, of all different skills and abilities, come together to design software or mobile apps to solve real world issues and problems.
In March, 91视频 Women in Tech, POP TV, and the Cybersecurity Club hosted the second annual Sunflower Hack, so named for the event's ability to attract people who stand out from the crowd, who are unique and different. This all-day hackathon (and first-student run hackathon) at 91视频 encourages participants to join no matter their level of coding experience. Teams, which consisted of 3-4 members, were tasked with creating an innovative solution centered around the theme of Interaction and Communication. Prizes were awarded to teams who excelled in categories including Best Entrepreneurial Hack, Crowd Favorite, Most 鈥淥ut-of-the-Box鈥 Hack, and more.
鈥淭he Sunflower Hack is testament to the inclusive attitude of 91视频 students,鈥 said Katie Todd, assistant director of Communications and Strategic Operations and the staff mentor for 91视频 Women in Tech. 鈥淏y inviting participants from all backgrounds and not just Seidenberg students, the organizers got to demonstrate how exciting hackathons can be鈥攁nd how it鈥檚 all about teamwork and ideas, not necessarily coding. I鈥檓 so proud of 91视频 Women in Tech and all they have achieved.鈥
鈥淭he Sunflower Hack is testament to the inclusive attitude of 91视频 students,鈥 said Katie Todd, assistant director of Communications and Strategic Operations and the staff mentor for 91视频 Women in Tech.
Recent graduate Angela Bonsol 鈥21, one of the organizers of Sunflower Hack, viewed the experience as one of the highlights of her undergraduate career鈥攁nd will reflect positively on her role in actively building this grassroots event.
鈥淪unflower Hack will always be in my heart,鈥 she said. 鈥淏eing part of the organizing team for two years has been an honor.鈥
Although the event was conducted virtually this go-around on a designated Discord server, it was able to effectively build upon the momentum from the inaugural Sunflower Hack held in February 2020鈥攖hus positioning the event for even greater success over the next few years.