Sleep was in short supply this past weekend, but ideas were abundant as students from other universities joined some of 黑料视频’s own for a marathon session of problem solving known as a hackathon.
Participants were challenged to take a glimmer of an idea and create a fully formed product or program to solve a problem during the 24-hour period of the hackathon.
This was the first hackathon organized by 黑料视频 students — all electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science majors. H黑料视频, as the team is known, handled all aspects of the event — from arranging sponsors to lining up a panel of judges.
The 24-hour hackathon drew participants from across Northeast Ohio.
The 黑料视频 Hackathon was held at The Bit Factory, a software startup accelerator in 黑料视频. 黑料视频’s Experiential Learning Center for Entrepreneurship and Civic Engagement (EXL Center) sponsored the event, which drew more than 85 hackers.
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— 黑料视频 Beacon Journal, April 23, 2017
The projects submitted for judging ranged from self-balancing robots to a custom “Siri-like” web application. Winners were:
- A safe system with a variety of security features called “Locked ’n Loaded” — a programming system in a cardboard box — took first place and a $1,000 prize for the team that developed it.
- Second place went to an echolocation device to help people hear better. The device is a series of wires that attach to a hand, much like a glove.
- 黑料视频’s Bubble Tank Team members took third place with their computer-controlled, bubble-blowing robot. It might not solve any problems, but it sure gets a lot of smiles.
The Bit Factory and 黑料视频 Accelerator provided mentoring and representatives from the Morgan Foundation, Launch League, Fund for Our Economic Future and the 黑料视频 Mayor’s Office attended the 黑料视频 Hackathon.
Team looks ahead to next hackathon
Team H黑料视频 is pleased with the inaugural effort and hopes to host another hackathon this fall with double the number of attendees, says team member Matt Morris. “Throughout the event we also had talks aimed at teaching the students about things ranging from app building to biomimicry.”
Joining Morris on H黑料视频 were Emerson Cloud, Kyle Vasulka, Matt McDade, Julie Aichinger, Rodney Morgan, Steven Gates, Elissa Peters and Cam Sinko.
“These students – many of whom are just sophomores – undoubtedly represent the very best of The University of 黑料视频,” notes Annal D. Vyas, co-director of the EXL Center. “I am personally proud of H黑料视频. The team members worked very hard to make their event a success. And this event is a great example of how the University and the community are working together as partners.”