Hacks for Humanity: Hacking for the Social Good–hosted by Project Humanities at Arizona State University (ASU) is a global, virtual 36-hour entrepreneurial marathon that challenges participants to create technical solutions for the social good.

Unlike many hacking events, Hacks for Humanity encourages participants from a wide skillset—even
those who have no “hacking” experience. We invite activists and artists, entrepreneurs and educators, scientists and social workers, along with each and every person in between. When these diverse perspectives come together,
innovation is the exciting result. 

 8, 9, 10 October 2021 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).  $11,000 worth of cash prizes.

“Hacks for Humanity 2021” focuses on ways to intervene social issues with technology – Arizona PBS

 

“Hacks for Humanity” is an annual event that brings people together to come up with interventions to a variety of social problems. This year’s focus is healthcare and water issues, along with concerns in sports. ASU Foundation Professor Dr. Neal Lester is the founding director of “Hacks for humanity.”
“For the 8th year it is still a competition that’s 36 hours that brings people from high school age 16 through retirees together to create technologies for the social good,” Lester said. Read more

“How Black Inventors Are Paving the Way in Modern Science for a Sustainable Future,” Pathways to Sustainable Invention Virtual Speaker Series, sponsored by Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Education, National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, and Society for Science (December 2021)

 

2021 Tracks

Healthcare

Nearly 350,000 health apps are in circulation today. Yet, according to the World Bank and World Health Organization, at least half of the world’s population cannot obtain essential health services. What obstacles keep this issue alive? How can technology be a way to re-imagine existing approaches to healthcare that do not limit equitable access to quality care?

Sports

Sports can bring individuals and communities together in a moment of shared humanity. This vastly profitable industry also can cause damage to the environment, exploit the vulnerable, and be politicized to do harm. Athletes, administrators, advertisers and fans all have a role to play. How can technology dismantle the  inequity, injustice and sometimes downright abuse that occurs in sports?

Water

Water is essential for creating and sustaining life on Earth. Whether people realize it or not, water plays a role in many social, political, environmental, and health issues. What solutions can lead to more respect for bodies of water and all the living things that need it to survive?

Meet the Teams




The Achievers

First Place: Team 7
Team Members: Christine Redhead, Farhan Pratama, Rachel Eisner, Avnish Singh
Project: meaSURE
Track: Water
MeaSURE is a platform that provides users the tools to see water quality everywhere they go, with real-time metrics in their hands—allowing them to speak up and speak out against those who see them as just another number on a spreadsheet.

Second Place: Team 14
Team Members: Jessica Cassidy, Laila H. Masoud, Michel Nzihou, Helena Makendengue, Crissel Ignacio
Project: SOS Kids
Track: Sports
Kids often face a variety of challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and even abuse, when involved in competitive sports. SOS Kids provides mental health resources to help children identify and deal with these issues.

Third Place: Team 5
Team Members: Mari David, Antonio Mendieta, Karl McPhee, Siddharth Singha Roy
Project: Expression
Track: Healthcare
Expression is a note-taking app that journals the user’s thoughts. It addresses the mental health issues of dealing with stress, depression, and anxiety by providing a healthy and private way to express oneself.

Best Built Project: Team 6
Team Members: Kaushik Indukuri, Sibashis Kjadanga, Wilfred Chukwu, Yash Gadhade, Isaac Baidoo
Project: Altheton
Track: Sports
In sports, it is often very difficult for upcoming or amateur athletes to participate in big sporting events or leagues. This solution provides a platform for athletes (especially beginners) to come together and play or have access to events all over the world.

Best Website: Team 1
Team Members: Aastha Naik, Shifa Ibrahim, Pamela Appiah, Joy Agus, Carlos Cristerna
Project: ASD Allies
Track: Healthcare
ASD Allies differs from your standard autism resources websites because its website also connects clients to healthcare professionals, offers personalized programs for each child at different stages in their childhood, and provides parent-centered support and resources. Unlike other informative websites providing an exhaustive list of resources that can be time-consuming to navigate, ASD Allies provides an experience and information that is unique and also relevant.

Finalist: Team 12
Team Members: Haemin Ryu, Idika Verma, Naomi Bisimwa, Chorya Harshal, Shreyal Geddam
Project: PLUR
Track: Sports
PLUR is a web app that uses local resources and crowdsourcing to build a strong database of programs and facilities that are accessible for individuals with disabilities,while raising awareness about anti-bullying and inclusion in sports.

Finalist: Team 8
Team Members: Brian Neal, Christine Bisimwa, Sakshi Kodre, Natalia Sumali, Rachel Aitanun
Project: Seeing Is Believing
Track: Healthcare
Seeing Is Believing is a comparison calculator that will help Americans see how much they have to pay (even with health insurance) and offers to mobilize them to demand changes from their leaders for better healthcare.

Zoom Recordings

Hacks for Humanity 2021 at a glance

Fun Events

How to 'WIN' Hackathon 2021

Judges


Christine Whitney Sanchez

Chief Culture Officer / University Technology Office Arizona State University

 

Laura Terech

President / Central Phoenix Inez Casiano chapter of the National Organization for Women

 

 

 

Tanushree Ghosh

Engineer & Supplier Manager / Intel

 

 

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.