For the youth of the 21st century, innovation is not just a word but has become a way of life. Today’s students do not want to be limited to textbooks, they want to create something new, present their ideas to the world, and find solutions to problems through technology. Hackathon is the center of this spirit.
Hackathon is an event where students go and seek a technical solution to a problem within a weekend. It is not pure competition, but is a different kind of experience, which makes students knowledgeable in computer science, innovation and leadership skills.
Hackathon: What, Why and How?
The word Hackathon is made up of two words – Hack and Marathon. It means: a long, intense and focused session in which students come together to create a technical product or solution.
John Gottfried, co-founder of Major League Hacking (MLH), says,
“Last year, more than 1 lakh students dedicated their weekends and free time to learning something new. They had no teachers, no books, no curriculum – just one goal: build something cool and show it to the world.”
These students were participating in hackathons – an event where technology and creativity come together to create a new world of possibilities.
Importance of hackathons: Why are such events important?
Promotes innovation
Students get an open platform where they can present their ideas without fear.
Learn to work in a group
Soft skills like teamwork, collaboration and leadership prepare students for the business world.
Practical learning
Students gain practical knowledge and technical proficiency by working on real problems.
Career opportunities and Networking
Through such events, companies, startups and tech leaders get a meeting place and this can create future career opportunities.
Developing Digital Leadership
Leadership in the digital world will be a key skill in the coming times – and hackathons are a strong platform for this.
MLH: An organization that lays the foundation for innovation
Major League Hacking (MLH) is a global student community that organizes thousands of hackathons, technical workshops and recruitment events. Their goal is to train the next generation of technology leaders and entrepreneurs.
At the STEAM Week virtual conference, Gottfried explained how to make a campus hackathon successful.
How to organize a successful campus hackathon?
Now let’s look at the key points that any college or university can follow to organise an effective and memorable hackathon on their campus:
Build the right team
First of all, you will need a strong organising team comprising of the following roles:
Event Coordinator
- Technical Lead
- Sponsorship Handler
- Marketing and Communication Head
- Logistics and Infrastructure Head
Clarify the objective
Do you want students to focus on a particular technology like AI, Web Development or IoT? Is your theme ‘sustainability’? Decide the answers to these questions first.
Choose the location and time
Weekends are the best time to organise a hackathon.
Make sure you have adequate seating, internet, electricity and rest facilities.
Gather sponsorship and support
Contact companies, startups and institutional sponsors.
Let them know that they can do branding, talent identification and social service by connecting with students.
Effective promotion and registration
Promote through social media, campus posters and email campaigns.
Keep the registration form simple and accessible.
Plan sessions and workshops Hackathons are informative due to the technical talks, workshops and mentoring sessions.
Make alumni or industry specialists to hold motivational classes.
Judging and prize distribution
- Create a fair and experienced judge panel.
- Keep criteria like innovation, utility and presentation.
- Prizes should not only be cash but also internships, certificates and gift vouchers.
Refreshment and rest arrangements
During long hacking sessions, food, tea, coffee and comfortable space are a must for students.
Student tips: What to do to take part in a hackathon?
Form teams: Make teams and team up with your classmates or friends whose talents are complementary.
Generate a concept: Conceive a concept that is innovative that addresses a social or technical issue.
Acquire tools: Use time prior to acquiring the foundations of GitHub, Figma, Firebase, or other toolsets.
Attention to the presentation: What can help to bring your idea alive is the focus on presentation.
Have a learning attitude: Meet new people and gain knowledge regardless of winning or losing.
How is hackathon changing the definition of education?
While the traditional education system focuses on rote learning, exams, and certificates, hackathons focus on knowledge, implementation, and innovation. Here students:
- Experiment without fear.
- Take failure as a means of learning.
- Take problems as a challenge.
In this way, hackathons are working to make today’s students the digital leaders of tomorrow.
Conclusion
If you study in a college or university, a hackathon is not just a competition but an opportunity – to learn, grow and give something new to the world. A successful hackathon not only enhances your technical understanding but also develops qualities like confidence, teamwork and leadership.
So the next time your college has a hackathon – organize it
