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A Better World Hackathon

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Entrepreneurship Foundation

The Foundation is a 501c3. Our mission is to provide effective resources for Educators ​and Entrepreneurs.

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Location

MakeHaven Main Space

The main makerspace and connected shops. This is located at 770 Chapel Street. Registered participants should ring the MakeHaven labeled doorbell. They will be directed down a long hallway, and down a set of stairs to our basement workshop.

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The Better World Hackathon is a weekend-long event aimed at creating innovative solutions to improve our climate, our lives, and our transportation systems. This is a unique opportunity for tech enthusiasts, makers, and problem solvers to come together and put their skills to the test using cutting-edge technologies.

This hackathon is designed for participants of all skill levels, and no prior experience is required. The only requirement is to produce a prototype (functional or design) for a concept that will make a better world.  You can make whatever you want and win the hackathon if it impresses the judges, but we suggest 3 focus areas, and provide an optional prompt for each:

  • Artificial Intelligence - Harness the power of software intelligence to delight and improve our experience.
    • Optional Prompt: Build something delightful that could be a shared experience in the public square.
    • Optional Prompt: Create a digital assistant that remembers the maintance history of a MakeHaven tool and troubleshoots with the user.
    • Suggested Resources
  • IoT - Love working with electronics, microcontrollers and wireless communications. Show us what can be done with the Internet of Things.
    • Optional Prompt: Design a system that can be deployed to inexpensively collect data on pedestrian, bike and other uses of streets and trails. (background document)
    • Suggested Resources
      • ​Helium API - Network for long range wireless data devices.
      • Microbit - Great microcontroller for beginners.
      • Esphome - Firmware for device automation using ESP microcontroller
  • Physical- If you are into robotics this is the focus for you. Design or build something mechanical, a part of something bigger or a simple product. You can work with MakeHaven members to laser cut, water jet cut, 3d print or mill the parts. You can make a fictional prototype or mock it up with foam and cardboard.
    • Optional Prompt: A device that makes the commute more enjoyable for a climate friendly trip (walk, bike, public transit, carpool).
During the weekend participants will spend time designing and building with their team to build a proof of concept that can be shared during the pitches at the end of the event.
 

The event will begin on Friday with team forming exercises to ensure that everyone is working with individuals who complement their strengths and share their passion. If you form your own team in advance you can work remotely and join us Saturday morning. It is strongly recommended recruit a MakeHaven member on your team with who is qualified on the tool relevant to your idea (do you need welding, sewing or some other skill?). Throughout the weekend, participants will collaborate, learn, and create innovative solutions that have the potential to change the world.

The Better World Hackathon will culminate on Sunday afternoon with a pitch competition, where participants will have the chance to showcase their projects and compete for glory. (we are seeking prizes, contact if interested in sponsoring)

 

Prizes (so far)

  • Overall 1st place - $200
  • Best IoT - $100
  • Best AI - $100
  • Best Physical - $100

Participants can win in multiple categories.

To be eligible for prizes teams must post a summary of their project to https://a-better-world-hackathon.devpost.com/ which the judges will review.

 

SPONSORS (so far)

$500 - Entrepreneurship Foundation

$500 - ClimateHaven

 

Collaborating Community Organizations

  • Gateway Community College - Computer Science -- Recruiting and bringing student teams.
  • Southern Connecticut University -Computer Science Department -- Recruiting and bringing student teams.
  • DAE Education -- Recruiting and bringing student teams. 

Sponsorship Opportunities

Help make this event a success with sponsorship. Each sponsorship includes logo visibility, shout out at event and recognition during the relevant portion (awards, meals or when granting scholarships). Any sponsorship funds not expended in this event will be utilized with recognition in the next similar event.

Options:

  • $500+ - Prize sponsor - We add to the prize pool. (larger contribution = more recognition)
  • $500+ - Food Sponsor - We will let everyone know you provided lunch (two available)
  • $500+ - Scholarships / Reduced fee (make reduced price tickets available, prioritized by need)

Express Interest in Sponsorship

 

 

Iitinerary :

Friday (Optional)

5:30pm - 6:00 - Presentation on Ideation and Prototyping (Suggested if don't have idea)

6:00 - 6:30: Team Forming Exercises (Suggested if don't have team)

6:30pm - 7:30pm: Meet & Greet with light snacks (dinner on own)

8pm: MakeHaven closes to non members (guests of members allowed per our guest policy) , Teams may start work independently

 

 

Saturday:

10:00am - 10:30am: Team Introductions

10:30am - 1:00pm: Team Project Work

1:00pm - 2:00pm: Brown Bag (Provided by ClimateHaven) Lunch / and talk (Unconference talk signup)

  • Speaker 1 - Kiko Wong - Lessons for environmental sensor prototyping

2:00pm - 6:00pm: Team Project Work

6:00pm MakeHaven closes to non members

 

Sunday:

10:00am - 1:00pm: Team Project Work

1:00pm - 2:00pm: Lunch (Provided by ClimateHaven) (Unconference talk signup)

2:00pm - 3:00pm: Team Project Work (final push)

3:00pm - 3:30pm : Prepare Product 2 Minute Pitch

3:30pm - 4:15pm : Teams Pitch

4:15pm - 4:30pm: Audience Q & A (while judging happens)

4:30pm - 5:00pm: Awards Ceremony and Closing Remarks

EVENT END

This itinerary is subject to change and may be adjusted based on the needs of participants and the event organizers.

 

Judging Criteria

 

Good - If implemented does the impact of this innovation make a better climate, better transportation, better life or better you?

Innovative  - Creativity and Innovation of concept.

Delightful - Was the pitch/presentation inspiring ideas of innovation delightful.

Skillful - Quality and care apparent in implementation of prototype / design / proof of concept.

Viable - Does the product demonstrated have the potential to grow, replicate and be sustained.

 

Each criteria scored 1-5, all equal weight, judges scores added together.

 

Registration

Individuals registering multiple people may have other team members pay at door as long as they have paid their ticket online.

  • General Public = $20
  • Member Ticket = $10

* If let us know at events@makehaven.org if there is financial hardship and we will scale price.

Participants must be 18+ year of age, or be accompanied by a guardian, or supervised by an approved program.

 

Faq

 

Do I need to work at MakeHaven.

You need to show up in person at MakeHaven but once you start you are welcome to work with your team remote, or even sit outside on the MakeHaven patio.