ABOUT THE EVENT

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 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

IMPACT

  • First Place: $1000/ team member

  • Second Place: $500/ team member

  • Third Place: $300/ team member

  • Best Website: $100/ team member

  • Most Helpful: $400, individual prize

  • Best Mentor: $400, individual prize

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. 

Event schedule

The hackathon is scheduled to commence at 5:00 PM (MST) on Friday, October 6th, and conclude at 3:30 PM (MST) on Sunday, October 8th. Participants will get 36 hours of time to work on their ideas.

** This schedule is not final & serves as a summary of key event highlights. The organizing team retains the flexibility to make schedule adjustments as necessary.

WORKSHOPS

Plenary: Success with Accessibility

Michael Hansen

Michael Hansen was born with a hearing loss and grew up wanting to make a positive impact on people with one or more disabilities. Currently, he is a manager at State Farm where he enjoys supporting his teams and advocating for the disability community through the Advocacy of Disabilities and Education ERG.

Michael will discuss:

  • His experience growing up in a small town where he was the only Deaf student in his school district. He and his family advocated for necessary resources to support his academic achievement.
  • Challenges of his initial interview at State Farm and improvements in the ADA Accommodation request process for interviews/daily working life.
  • Technology implemented to help him develop meaningful work relationships at State Farm and become a manager at a Fortune 50 company.
  • An overview of advancements in assistive technology at State Farm in the last 25 years

Disability / Ableism

Adero C. E. Allison, Ph.D.

Adero C. E. Allison, Ph.D. (she/her) is Assistant Director, Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services at Arizona State University.

With a background in music, disability, and social sciences, Dr. Allison has experience that spans over 40 years working with people with disabilities from vocational programs to large systems change projects related to disability in work, home, and employment, and currently, with students in ASU undergraduate and graduate programs. She is a scholar/practitioner serving professionally as a private coach and organizational consultant.  In my current position, she coordinates the development of new initiatives to develop student supports that go beyond the provision of accommodations to life skill development and employment preparation for beyond the university.

My ability to see and share where things connect and where they lead allows me to help individuals and organizations expand their awareness and potential.

Fashion

Jessie Kosak

Jessie Kosak received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion design and sustainability and a Master of Fine Arts in fashion design and society from Parsons, The New School for Design in New York City.

She has worked internationally as a designer for over a decade, and as an environmental and sustainability researcher for the fashion industry.

She is currently an instructor at Arizona State University, where she teaches courses on fashion design and sustainability. Her current research focuses on the connection between historicism in fashion and emotional durability as a catalyst for lowered consumption.

Animals (Non-Human)

Pak

Terri Hlava holds a PhD in Education Psychology and is the personal human to Copper D., Shay B., and Montreux G. Hlava. They team teach Disability Studies, Justice Studies and Ethnic Studies courses at Arizona State University and research children’s implicit theories of academic ability for self, others and other species. In 2007, Terri and her teammates co-founded H.A.B.I.T.A.T. (Human Animal Bond In Teaching And Therapies). Terri’s happy place is always in the company of dogs and most anywhere outdoors.

Copper

LOCATION

1951 @ SkySong

1475 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257

REACH THE VENUE

Join Us

Welcoming Everyone

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.

REGISTER

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

Participants compete for team prizes of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place as well as individual awards such as People’s Choice awards

Participant Requirements:

  • Minimum age: 16+ years of age and a high school junior/ senior
  • Maximum Age- Not applicable; anybody from students to professionals to retirees
  • Register based on individual areas of expertise: artists, coders, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, humanists
  • Stay with assigned team for the duration of the event
  • Meet deadlines scheduled during Pacific Standard Time, GMT/UTC-7
  • Work on tasks aligned with your skillset in-person in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Participant Registration

Mentors use their expertise to help teams spark creativity, generate ideas, problem solve, and develop final presentations.

Mentor Requirements

  • Any age
  • Register by most accurate skill set category: artists, coders, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, humanists
  • Commit to 2-hour blocks of time
  • Passionate about using innovation to address local and global issues for the greater social good
Mentor Registration

Volunteers participate in the event as a close observer while assisting Project Humanities team with event logistics. They can be anyone interested in assisting the Project Humanities team in various event logistics.

Volunteer Requirements

  • Any age
  • Any area of expertise welcome
  • Commit to 2-hour blocks to assist Project Humanities team with logistics
  • Virtual and In-Person opportunities available
  • Assist with tasks such as registrant sign ins, facilitate participant activities throughout 36-hour event
Volunteer Registration

Sponsor

  • Is an organization that provides funding to make event happen.
  • Sponsorship level packages: $2500+, $5000+, and $10,000+
  • Is highlighted on the Hacks for Humanity website
  • Is highlighted in monthly Project Humanities newsletter

Supporter

  • Offers event raffle prizes for participants
  • Offers in-kind support such as media coverage
  • Offers other non-monetary support or monetary support less than $2500
  • Is highlighted on the Hacks for Humanity website
  • Is highlighted in monthly Project Humanities newsletter

Inquire about sponsorship opportunities at [email protected]

HACKS FOR HUMANITY TRANSPORTATION DETAILS

Did you know that people who take public transportation to Hacks for Humanity have their raffle entries doubled? That’s double the chance at $1,000 worth of additional prizes ***

Getting to ASU Skysong from any the Tempe campus is easy! The Valley Metro’s bus route 72 takes you straight from Apache & Rural (outside the Taco Bell) to the entrance of the Skysong campus. However, there are plenty of other routes, some from different campuses as starting points and some that are completely free.

Click through the options below to see what routes may work best for you.

Note: We recommend that you start your public transportation route at least 1 hour before the opening session on at 6:00 pm on Friday, October 6 so that you can arrive on time.

Starting Point - ASU Tempe Campus Shuttle Stop
Get your Bus Pass
Starting Point - ASU Downtown Campus
Get your bus pass
Starting Point - ASU Polytechnic Campus
Starting Point - ASU West Campus
Get your Bus Pass

*** In order to verify this we ask that participants bring their bus passes or receipt of purchase. Those travelling via Orbit should take a selfie and share it with us.

9th Annual hacks for humanity AT-A-Glance

Gallery

IMPACT

Feedback from 2022

“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.”

- Participant 2022

FAQ's

Is this event just for people in tech?

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.

Do I have to spend all 36 hours on-site?

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. 

Are there prizes for participants?

Cash prizes are distributed to each member of the top teams

  • First Place: $1,000 USD per team member
  • Second Place: $500 USD per team member
  • Third Place: $300 USD per team member
Who can attend?
  • Adults of all ages
  • High school juniors and seniors (16 years of age or older) with parent/guardian permission
  • Anyone interested in creating a solution that benefits the social good
  • Anyone who wants to serve as a mentor in 2-hour blocks who can support content and practice
  • Anyone who wants to serve as a volunteer to assist with the event logistics 
  • Anyone from around the world
  • Everyone: students, non-students, faculty, staff, professionals, administrators, and more
How does Hacks for Humanity work logistically?
  • 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.
What are the benefits of participating in this hacking event?
  • Builds community
  • Demonstrates “disruptive innovation” in a quick burst of creativity and innovation
  • Demonstrates the power of collaboration and diversity
  • Demonstrates the rewards of diverse perspectives
  • Teaches participants as they compete and innovate
  • Connects technology and product innovation with humanity and quality of life
  • Connects innovation and technology with entrepreneurship and business
  • Establishes a foundation for other such competitions and professional networking
  • It’s fun!
What is the impact of Hacks for Humanity?
  • Sparks inspiration for action
  • 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.

Who owns the team product/idea?

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.

Are there any registration fees?

Nope! This Hackathon is free for all participants, volunteers, and mentors.

sponsors

ANONYMOUS

SUPPORTERS

ANTHONY FERRARA

BILL & MARY GLOVER

KIMBERLY CORBITT

TERRI MCKIBBIN

Past Hacks for Humanity At-A-Glance

Hacks for Humanity 2022

Hacks for Humanity 2021

Hacks for Humanity 2020

Hacks for Humanity 2019

Hacks for Humanity 2018

Hacks for Humanity 2017

Hacks for Humanity 2016

Hacks for Humanity 2015

Hacks for Humanity 2014

What's NeW at Project Humanities

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Join Us

Join as a Participant
  • Is at least 16+ years of age (from high school juniors/ seniors to retirees) [high school students must have signed parental/ guardian permission]
  • Stay with assigned team for the duration of the event
  • Asynchronously work on tasks aligned with your skillset
  • Meet deadlines scheduled during Pacific Standard Time, GMT/UTC-7
  • Competes for prizes in both individual People’s Choice categories and as Judges’ top 3 teams
  • Registers based on individual areas of expertise: artists, coders, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, humanists
Join as a Mentor
  • Is anyone interested in using their expertise to help teams spark creativity, generate ideas, problem solve, and develop final presentations
  • Is anyone passionate about using innovation to address local and global issues for the greater social good
  • Commits to 2-hour blocks in which they test teams’ ideas and offer guidance
  • Comes in all ages
  • Signs up as artists, coders, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, humanists
Join as a Sponsor
  • An organization that provides funding to make event happen. See Sponsorship levels, individual perks and privileges here.
  • Sponsorship level packages: $2500+, $5000+, and $10,000+
  • Is highlighted on the Hacks for Humanity website
  • Is highlighted in monthly Project Humanities newsletter
Join as a Volunteer
  • Is anyone interested in assisting the Project Humanities team in various event logistics
  • Commits to 2-hour blocks to assist Project Humanities team with logistics
  • May assist with registrant sign ins, facilitate participant activities throughout 36-hour event
  • Need not have any specific area of expertise
  • Wants to participate in the event as a close observer while assisting Project Humanities team with event logisticss
  • Can interview/ record team members about their participation

Follow Us

Reach Us

  • Office– Discovery Hall 112, 250 E Lemon St, Tempe, AZ 85281
  • Phone– 480-727-7030
  • Email– [email protected]