Hacks for Humanity 2021 - Summary

Hacks for humanity 2021- Summary

“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

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?

Hacks for humanity 2021 at-a-glance

The Achievers

First Place: Team 7 | Project: meaSURE

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 | Project: SOS Kids

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 | Project: Expression

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 | Project: Athleteaton

Best Built Project: Team 6
Team Members: Kaushik Indukuri, Sibashis Kjadanga, Wilfred Chukwu, Yash Gadhade, Isaac Baidoo
Project: Athleteaton
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 | Project: ASD Allies

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 | Project: PLUR

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 | Project: Seeing Is Believing

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.