11th ANNUAL HACKS FOR HUMANITY 2024

11-13 OCTOBER 2024

 
 

ABOUT THE EVENT

Hacks for Humanity: Hacking for Social Good

Hosted by Project Humanities at Arizona State University, Hacks for Humanity is not just a hackathon—it’s a 36-hour innovation marathon. Participants from diverse backgrounds—including students, faculty, staff, and community members—come together to develop technical solutions that address pressing local and global challenges. By integrating the seven core principles of Humanity 101—compassion, empathy, forgiveness, integrity, kindness, respect, and self-reflection—each project not only proposes a solution but also fosters personal growth and community understanding.

This year, we are excited to welcome participants in person to collaborate, create, and innovate. With an average attendance of 150-200 visionaries, the event promises dynamic interaction and significant impact.

As we continue to build the legacy of Hacks for Humanity, our goal is to expand our reach and deepen our impact. We strive to forge strong partnerships with like-minded organizations and agencies. Together, we aim to change the world one individual at a time and strengthen our community through each Project Humanities initiative.

What Makes Us Unique

Hacks for Humanity welcomes everyone—from coders to artists, and students to retirees. By uniting diverse perspectives, we ensure groundbreaking solutions emerge every year.

 

Our Impact

Our hackathon does more than spark innovation; it inspires action and builds lasting networks, empowering participants to use technology for societal change.

Event schedule

Hackathon-Event-Schedule

Hacks for Humanity 2024 Tracks

Energy

Energy in the form of fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewables acts as a catalyst of human action, intricately weaving through our decisions, opportunities, and challenges. It has profoundly shaped our existence, enhancing the quality of life, shaping political strategies, preserving environmental integrity, and molding urban landscapes.  Now, we must collectively navigate its complexities, recognizing it not just as a technical puzzle but as a social imperative. Together, how do we innovate towards a sustainable future where energy solutions bridge disciplines and ideologies to pave a path towards resilience and progress?

Mental Health

While mental health often carries negative connotations, it also holds immense potential for positive transformation. By harnessing the power of technology, innovation, and a dedicated focus on mental wellbeing, how might we bring about positive change and foster a deeper understanding of mental health across personal, professional, and societal realms that craft innovative solutions to break down barriers, promote resilience, and pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future?

 

 

Conflict

Throughout human history, conflict has been an inherent aspect of interaction, arising from disagreements, differing opinions, and competing values. Rather than viewing peace as merely the absence of conflict, how might we embrace the complexities and nuances of conflict? When navigated thoughtfully, how can conflict serve as a pathway towards positive change and greater social good and drive meaningful progress in our communities and beyond?

 

 

LOCATION

1951 @ SkySong

1475 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257

REACH THE VENUE

Join Us

IN THE NEWS

Ahwatukee professor readies 11th Hacks for Humanity

– Sept 21, 2024

Over a decade ago, Ahwatukee professor Dr. Neal Lester had an idea:

If code-savvy professionals can get together to solve technical issues through a “hackathon,” why can’t people of all walks of life and ages get together to come up with working “hacks” that address a social problem.

Flash forward to 2024 and the Arizona State University Foundation Professor of English has produced an answer 10 years running: People with and without coding experience can indeed gather in small teams for a focused, concentrated period of time and produce attainable solutions to social problems… Read More

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:

  • Participation is not open to high school students.
  • Age Group- 18 years and above; anybody from students to professionals to retirees.
  • Register based on individual areas of expertise: artists, coders, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs.
  • Stay with assigned team for the duration of the event.
  • 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.

For Students Only: If you need help with transportation to the event, after you register, be on the lookout for an email from Project Humanities regarding the Uber vouchers. Limited supplies only.

Note: We recommend that you start your public transportation route at least 1 hour before the opening session at 5:00 pm on Friday, October 11 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

HACKS FOR HUMANITY 2023 At-A-Glance

Gallery

IMPACT

Feedback from 2023

Being a Computer Science grad it never happens to look at things from a humanitarian perspective. That is something which I found really cool here.

- Participant 2023

The humanity focus and mix of participants made it more than just a tech conference.

- Participant 2023

“It’s really nice that we are helping people through the knowledge we have.”

- Participant 2023

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 membersNo 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.

Judges

Amanda

Amanda
Opperman, PhD

Dr. Amanda Opperman is a self-described edu-prenuer with over 20 years of experience launching and growing academic programs at colleges and universities across the country. She earned her PhD in Education with an emphasis in Social Justice from the Claremont Graduate School/San Diego State University joint-doctoral program. She is the co-founder of San Francisco-based Helios Education Lab, a consulting agency that serves higher ed, and she was part of the executive team responsible for opening a branch campus of California University of Management & Sciences in San Diego, CA. Amanda recently joined the team at ASU Foundation as the Senior Director of Development for ASU’s Biodesign Institute.

Whitney M. Harvey

Whitney
M. Harvey

Whitney M. Harvey, Esq. is a business strategist and consultant who combines her legal expertise with wellness practices to enhance corporate environments. As the founder of The Self Coached Lawyer and GENThirty8, she specializes in integrating HypnoBreathwork® to reduce stress, promote mental clarity, and foster leadership. With 20 years of corporate experience, Whitney helps professionals align their personal passions with their careers while promoting inclusivity and well-being in the workplace. She holds a Juris Doctor and is pursuing a PhD in General Psychology with a focus on Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Patti
Sampson

Patti Sampson has spent over 25 years perfecting the follow-up game and mastering various Customer Relations management (CRM) software as a digital marketer, email specialist, top-producing AZ real estate broker, and CRM strategist as the founder of her own marketing companyCRMLadyBoss.com and CEO/ Founder of EngageMore CRM. Her training and experience have helped thousands of small businesses and real estate professionals all over the world to understand the power of their CRM and the importance of why the ‘Money is in the follow-up.’Patti is also the author of the best-selling book Drip Campaign Secrets and a member of the five-time international World Champion Sweet Adelines acapella Scottsdale Chorus.

Mitt Williams

Mitt
Williams, MD

Mitt Williams, MD, is a retired anesthesiologist, having received her degree from Indiana University School of Medicine (Indianapolis, Indiana). Her international healthcare experience includes a fellowship in Cardiac and Pediatric Anesthesia in Sydney, Australia.

sponsors

Supporters

Axure
NATIONAL SOFTWARE
Psyche
ASU Fulton Engineering

Past Hacks for Humanity At-A-Glance

Hacks for Humanity 2023

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

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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]