Hackathon

What is a Hackathon?

• A Hackathon is an event of any duration where people come together in groups to creatively solve specific problems and collaborate to create a solution. In the HS-MACA & CPHHE Hackathon, the expected final product is a proposal for a mobile application.

What is the Theme this year?

• For the Hackathon 2024, we are expecting many opportunities for new ideas, connections, and solutions to be formed as they relate to Violence as a Public Health Problem.

Who can participate?

• This Hackathon is developed to provide an opportunity for student leaders in the fields of software development, business, and public health to collaborate and create tangible solutions in the context of pandemics. We aim to inspire students to apply their knowledge and talents towards real world health challenges. Applicants must work in groups of three (3). All participants must be students at the time of application. We encourage each team to be interdisciplinary, made up of one student of public health background, one student of business background, and one student of information technology (IT) background.

How do we apply?

• From June to August 2024, student groups will submit an abstract describing the public health problems targeted and the mobile app that could be used to reduce or eliminate the problem. After the abstract submission period, Hackathon committee will select qualified participants to take part in the Hackathon. Selected teams will be notified and invited to participate in the event as finalists.
• Abstract Submission Requirements: Your abstract should be a maximum of 500 words. Please include the following three sections in your abstract:
  • Research Problems and Objectives: Identify a problem area and find a gap that your project can fill. Pinpoint the exact problem that your project will address.
  • Methods: Discuss how you will do your research. What is the type of research? What data will you use and how will you analyze it? What tools and materials will you use for your research? What is your rationale for choosing these methods? How will you market your app?
  • Results: Report the preliminary findings of your research and connect it to the potential project you will begin and complete during the Hackathon.
  • Submit your application and abstract to PhebeJungman@creighton.edu on or before August 30, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a hackathon?

  • A hackathon is a multi-day event that is focused on creative problem-solving involving technology. The HS-MACA Hackathon is focused on mobile app design.

• Who can attend and how big can teams be?

  • Any graduate/professional school students, undergraduate students or pre-collegiate (high school) students are eligible to participate in the event, provided you are current students at the time of application. Teams must consist of three students each, with diverse academic backgrounds (public health, business, IT).

• Do I need to know how to code?

  • You do not need to have coding experience to participate! The final product will be a presentation of the concept and design of the app, and while including a demonstration of how the app would work, it does not need to involve a programmed product (a visual representation will suffice).

• What can I build or design for this hackathon?

  • The final product should be a design for a mobile app.

• What do mentors do?

  • Mentors from diverse backgrounds will be present at the Hackathon to support the development of your product presentation, coaching you in areas of IT, Business, Presentation, and Public Health.