Hacks for Humanity: Hacking for the Social Good hosted by Project Humanities at Arizona State University (ASU) is a 36-hour entrepreneurial marathon that challenges participants to create technical solutions that challenges participants to create technological solutions and initiatives to address local and global issues by implementing these seven Humanity 101 principles: compassion, empathy, forgiveness, integrity, kindness, respect, and self-reflection. This annual event draws some 150-200 students, faculty, staff and community members, each with their individual talents and backgrounds of expertise.
This year’s hackathon will be held in-person.
As the legacy of Hacks for Humanity continues to unfold, our desire is to increase its impact exponentially through building robust partnerships with supporting agencies and organizations who share our common goals to change the world one person at a time and to build community one Project Humanities program at a time.
UNIQUENESS
Unlike many such hackathons, Hacks for Humanity encourages participants from wide skillsets even those who have no previous “hacking” experience.
We welcome:
– Artists
– Coders
– App Makers
– Designers
– Engineers
– Entrepreneurs
– And, everyone in between from high schoolers to retirees
When diverse perspectives come together, innovation is the exciting result. This expectation has fulfilled itself time and again as the products of this hackathon continue to unfold.
IMPACT
The impact of our hackathon focuses on the seven principles of Humanity 101.
– Sparks inspiration for action
– Provides resources and mentors during and after the event
– Advocates for societal change
– Builds friendships, mentorships, and networks in local Arizona communities
Hacks for Humanity 2023 Tracks
Animals
Non-human animals are present in so many areas of humans’ lives—companionship, labor, art, and nutrition, to name a few. How do the principles of Humanity 101 come into play when considering the role of non-human animals in this world?
Disability
Each person experiences life differently; however, not everyone is accommodated for equally. How can inequalities be addressed to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in society, regardless of ability?
Fashion
Fashion is a mode of creative and sometimes political expression, but its impact on people’s lives goes far beyond. From the labor used to create clothing, the environmental impacts of the clothing industry, or the political and social messages conveyed by its wearers, fashion holds an important place in society.
“First, a big THANK YOU for asking me to be a judge at the Hacks for Humanity event. I really enjoyed it, and found it to be amazingly well organized.I also learned a lot about what the next generations are bringing to solve world problems. I was very impressed with the quality and creativity of most of the hack ideas.”
- Judge 2022 / Facebook
“The schedule and break from things is nice. Often in other hackathons, I tend to not have the time to attend other events or workshops because I’m stuck in the code. I like that there isn’t much of an emphasis [on the technical aspects], but more of an emphasis on the story telling of the project.”
- Participant 2022 / Facebook
“I really liked how there was a lot of attention to taking a holistic approach to problems rather than just technical. As an engineer it was really refreshing. This was also a SUPER organized event, and I appreciated it.”
No! Hacks for Humanity invites participants from a all skillsets. We welcome artists, business people, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and generalists; indeed everyone in between from high school to the professional retirement.
Teams are formed on-site to assure that each team has an even balance of people from non-tech and tech backgrounds.
Those who are fortunate to be in the Phoenix Metropolitan area have the benefit of being able to have the full event experience including 3 days of catered food, raffle prizes, shirts, and activities like therapy dogs and a fully equipped Gameplex. Because of this, we strongly encourage that those who can be in person to be on-site.
In-person participants may go home in the evening to sleep so long as they return back to the venue before 7:30 am. In-person participants who leave the Hackathon and do not return on-site forfeit their eligibility to claim their team’s prize.
Individuals register online as a participant, volunteer, or mentor, and self-identify with one of the designated expertise areas (business, design, engineering, generalist, etc.).
Participants will be randomly assigned to a team based on a diverse set of expertise areas. Teams consist of 3-5 members. No pre-assembled teams allowed. A goal of this hacking event is to get people to work across the lines of the every day and the familiar. In other words, we want teams to mix and match rather than teams of all graduate students, all undergraduates, all community members, all males, all from a single school, etc.
On the evening of the event commencement, attendees will report to the in-person venue
When teams are formed, the hacking begins with guidelines and milestones provided by the event coordinators.
All team members must be an active participant throughout the event in order to be eligible to receive prizes.
Teams are required to attend event plenaries and must send at least one team member to attend each workshop.
The hacking event ends with each team pitching its product and judges determining the top teams for awards and prizes.
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Provides resources and mentors during and after the event
Creates a network among other individuals and organizations advocating for societal change
Builds friendships, mentorships, and networks
As the legacy of Hacks for Humanity continues to unfold, our impact increases through robust strategic partnerships with supporting agencies and organizations that share our common goal of doing social good, one person at a time.
The team producing owns the product/idea produced and the IP. We suggest sharing within your teams and making code open source but this is not a requirement for event participation.
Unlike many such hackathons, Hacks for Humanity invites the participation of individuals with and without coding skills. In fact, we welcome coders and creatives, app makers and artists, engineers and entrepreneurs alike, along with each and every person in between. When these diverse perspectives come together, innovation is the exciting result.
Mentors and Volunteers
Mentors bring their diverse expertise to our team. Mentors commit to 2-hour blocks and float to test teams’ ideas and to offer guidance through the hackathon process.
Volunteers assist with logistics of our hackathon. They need no specific expertise, just a willingness to support our efforts, also in 2-hour blocks. Click here more info.
Sponsorship
As the legacy of Hacks for Humanity continues, our desire is to increase its impact exponentially by building robust partnerships. Supporting agencies and organizations share our common goals to build community one person at a time, one Project Humanities program at a time.
