This event is for students, 4th – 8th grade, who will come together as problem solvers and innovators to use technology to make the world a better place. The philosophy of the daylong event (or Hackathon) is that technology innovations can have significant impact on social development, especially when focused on solving practical problems.
The event brings together technology experts (university professors, college students, high school teachers and students who are all familiar with technology) working with students to help them create Smartphone Apps (or websites) to help local causes.
In the wake of the recent tragedy in Sandy Hook, the goal of the event is to empower elementary and middle school students to make a difference.
Acts of kindness come in all shapes and sizes, and technology is just another avenue which needs to be explored.
The event will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Fraser Woods Montessori School, 173 South Main Street, Newtown, CT. The event will start at 8:30 AM and go to 4:00 PM. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided.
Students will be provided with access to 14 desktop personal computers. Wireless access is available for those individuals who wish to bring their own laptops.
Students will work in groups of four. Each group will have a university or high school student assisting them throughout the process. Each computer will have App Inventor installed, as well as Scratch.
Students will need a Google account to access App Inventor and also to share documents and other collaborative tools.
The first half of the day will consist of workng with stake holders to brainstorm solutions. The 2nd half of the day will be spent exploring the various programming tools with the aim of creating a working prototype.
Currently the following organizations will be participating:
- Newtown Kindness
- Ben’s Bells
- The Animal Center (of Newtown)
- Autism Speaks
- American Diabetes Association (CT)
- Newtown Arts Festival
- Polar Bears International
- Save the Children
