About The Event

Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in parts of the world such as India, Argentina, and more, The HooHacks Team feels compelled to contribute its resources and platform to combatting the pandemic. This is why we are introducing HooHacks for Humanity: COVID-19, a virtual hackathon and ideathon hybrid event from July 25-31 that serves as a platform for students from all academic backgrounds to utilize their creativity and problem solving abilities to solve/alleviate issues relating to COVID-19. This is a hybrid event as there will be two tracks: one that focuses primarily on the idea (similar to an ideathon), and another that will focus on the implementation of the solution (similar to a hackathon). Solutions could attempt to resolve problems like the efficiency of vaccine distribution, transportation to vaccine centers, or fundraising and awareness; it’s up to the team to define the problem and address it. We will have multiple incredible guest speakers at this event and also mentors that will provide valuable guidance to teams as they formulate their solutions. In addition, the best ideas and solution implementations will win prizes and cash funding!

Where

Virtual!


When

July 25th-31st, 2021

Applications close on Saturday, July 24th!

Rules

  • Every submission must be submitted in one prize track (idea or project)
  • Every submission must include a video (3-5 minutes). Any project that includes a video that is longer than 5 minutes will not be judged.
  • The video cannot be more than 5 minutes
  • You may have a team of as many as 3 people, but no more.
  • You may not submit to other hackathons with the project you built at HooHacks for Humanity and vice versa.
  • Your project/idea must pertain to covid-19
  • For the projects track:
    • You may not edit your code before hacking starts (12 PM EST July 25th) and you may not edit your code after hacking ends (12PM EST July 21st).
    • You may not submit a project without your teammates' permission.
    • If you take significant code from a non-HooHacks source (i.e. not from a workshop or mentor), note down the link for that code and include it in an .txt file labeled "sources" in your code submission. "Significant" is purposefully vague, but pretty self explanatory. If you are unsure whether or not something is significant, put it down anyways.
    • You must publish your code via GitHub. If you REALLY do not want your code to be available publicly, contact an organizer at the hackathon and we can assist you. To learn more about how to use GitHub, watch our How To Submit video playlist or our Git workshop, detailed
    • Not an enforced rule but a rule of thumb for the rest of your life: do not put your API keys in your Github repo!
  • Remember: Being at HooHacks is a privilege. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We can and will remove you if you are making the experience a negative one for any participating people and will take further action if necessary.

This event is a hybrid ideathon/hackathon event. Participants can create an idea for an invention that could aid in the current Covid-19 situation or they could take it one step further and implement that idea with a project. Here are the requirements for the two tracks that can provide a clear distinction between them.

Project

  • Idea that is taken to the next level and has been implemented
  • Should be functional and almost ready (or ready) to be used
  • Video must show demonstration of the project’s use

Idea

  • Definition: essentially a “project plan”/blueprint. Idea must have enough detail and depth for third party to create/build project solely based on the info in presentation
  • No implementation
  • Video must have a presentation explaining in detail what the idea is. The video must include:
    • Problem and Solution
      • Summarize solution in a few sentences
      • Explain the individual parts of the idea (if applicable)
    • Why this idea is needed
      • Also explain the uniqueness of it
    • Ideas on how it can be implemented
      • What materials will be used (languages, Software tools)
      • Discuss the feasibility of implementation
    • Impact
      • How it will help the current covid-19 situation
      • Reach/widespreadness
      • Target population

Prompts

All projects/ideas submitted to this event must pertain to the current Covid-19 pandemic. Here are some possible topics that could help you find some inspiration!

  • Covid-19 vaccine distribution
  • Education surrounding covid and getting rid of ‘fake news’ and misinformation
  • Transportation to vaccine centers
  • Contact tracing
  • Economic impact of covid
  • Mental health
    • Social anxiety caused by Covid ONLY
  • Virtual learning and how we can make it better/easier for both teachers and students

Prizes

Project

First place: Mini Drone

Second place: Sony XB10 Wireless Speaker

Idea

First place: Google Home Mini with Smart Plugs

Second place: Tile Essentials Pack

Schedule

Sunday, July 25

Opening Ceremony

Come find out more about how to get the most out of HooHacks for Humanity: COVID-19 and to listen to our awesome keynote speaker, Dr. Mark Schwartz!

Hacking Begins

All projects must be started after this point. Projects found to have time stamps before this point will be automatically disqualified. The Team Building channel opens now.

How to Submit Videos Playlists

A must watch! Step by step instructions on how to smoothly submit your projects/ideas.


Monday, July 26

Presentation by Dr. Benjamin Smarr

Come join to learn more about Human Physiological Considerations in Time Series Analysis.


Tuesday, July 27

Presentation by Dr. Jeffery Klauda

Dr. Klauda is a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Maryland.


Wednesday, July 28

Presentation by Dr. Joseph Natale

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Trajectories: A Birds-Eye View of the 50 U.S. States Reveals Discrete Dynamical Clusters


Thursday, July 29

Presentation by Dr. Amy Mathers

Dr. Mathers engineered special nasopharyngeal swabs used for testing at UVA.


Friday, July 30

Presentation by Dr. Bryan Berger

Professor Berger proposed studying how SARS-CoV-2 propagates within its human host through mathematical modeling.


Saturday, July 31

Hacking Ends

All coding must be completed at this point. Any projects found to have changes after this time will be automatically disqualified.

Hard Deadline on Submissions

Submissions must be completely filled out on the google form at this point. Judging will be completely virtual.

Closing Ceremony

Come join us in closing the event and to find out who won the track prizes!