**Teams are randomly assigned on Day 1 of the event
An unforgiving global pandemic as the backdrop for ongoing social disparities and racial injustices nationally and globally once again draws attention to this critical question: “Are we losing our humanity?” As no one is exempt from having to navigate what many are experiencing as the “best of times and the worst of times” at the same time, our annual Hacks for Humanity: Hacking for the Social Good–hosted by Project Humanities at Arizona State University (ASU)–could not be more pressing and urgent.
This 3-day hacking event challenges participants to create and to innovate solutions to local and global issues. While this year’s participant team tracks are Aging, Safety, and Justice, all finished products in this team competition must embody these Humanity 101 principles: kindness, compassion, integrity, respect, empathy, forgiveness, and self-reflection. This unique annual event draws some 150-200 participants–students, faculty, staff, professionals, and community members. Because of COVID-19 uncertainties, this year’s event is VIRTUAL; affording new opportunities for national and international participation, volunteering, and mentoring. WHEN? 9, 10, 11 October 2020 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). EXPECT: prizes, games, networking, community-building, FUN!
What is Hacks for Humanity, and what makes it unique?
Unlike many such hacking events, Hacks for Humanity invites participants from a wide skillset, even those who have no previous “hacking” experience. We welcome artists, coders, app makers, designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, humanists, creatives, and generalists; indeed everyone in between from high school to professional retirement.
Hosted by Project Humanities at Arizona State University, Hacks for Humanity–a 3-day competitive online hacking event for the social good–is different in these ways:
Targets not just coders but rather to coders, non-coders and everyone in between.
Involves both communities inside and beyond Arizona State University and brings together individuals across professions, disciplines, generations, and around the globe.
Innovates products that connect with or embody at least 3 of these 7 principlesProject Humanities deems Humanity 101: compassion, empathy, respect, integrity, forgiveness, self-reflection and kindness.
Features 3 thematic tracks under the umbrella of Humanity 101. This year the three tracks are Aging, Safety, and Justice.
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, humanist, engineering, generalist, etc.).
On the evening of the event commencement, attendees will sign in to Zoom via the link emailed to them by event coordinators.
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 everyday 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.
When teams are formed, the hacking begins with guidelines and milestones provided by the event coordinators.
All team members must be an active team member 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.
Are there prizes for participants?
Cash prizes ($700 per person of First Place Team, $500 per person of Second Place Team, $300 per person of Third Place Team) are distributed to each member of the top teams
