DESIGN CHALLENGE HACKATHON

Register

Students must register directly for this program using the form below. Food and beverages will be provided through the event. Educators and/or guardians are welcome to join students for this event. When completing the registration form, kindly add any additional guests. Educators and/or guardians are also welcome to attend the final pitch presentations on Saturday afternoon.

  • Fee: No Charge
  • Dates: Friday, February 11, 2022, 4:00-9:00pm; Saturday, February 12, 2022, 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Location: Cleveland State University

Covid-19 Mask Information for Events

The Veale Foundation will adhere to each venue’s individual mask mandates for events held at their locations in accordance with the CDC’s current Recommendations for Indoor and Outdoor Settings. Notification of current Covid-19 masking policies for venues will be shared with event participants in our event communications prior to the event and at sign-in tables. Please email us at programs@VealeFound.org with any questions.

student writing on notecard on wall

Have you ever wanted to be a part of the solution for issues in your community? Have you ever had an idea to solve those issues? Attend our Design Challenge Hackathon to partner up with like-minded students and find the resources to turn ideas into reality.

Our two-day Hackathon will allow students to learn a series of skill sets through workshops, mentorship, and curriculum provided and facilitated by GiveBackHack, an organization which brings people together to develop sustainable solutions to pressing social issues. Students will have the opportunity to pitch their own idea or join another team to work with through the event.

Students will work in teams to do user validation, develop a business model and create a prototype. Students will also learn of ways to leverage technology while building out an idea. On the second day of the session, teams will pitch what they built to the community and judges, with cash prizes awarded to winning teams.

Watch the Design Challenge Hackathon Introductory Video

Areas of Focus:

Skills addressed include design thinking, public speaking, ideation and creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, effective communication, social impact and prototyping.
Note: Coding and web/software development background is NOT required for this event. Students with coding and web/software development backgrounds may receive additional will get guidance to incorporate those skills while building out the idea.

This event is open to high school students throughout Northeast Ohio.

Students should complete the registration form below to be notified of program updates and to secure early access.

students sitting at table on computers

Meet the Facilitator:

Emily Stuhldreher is a Design Thinking facilitator and Social Enterprise expert with a passion for social innovation and empowering others. She spends her time building the social impact launchpad at GiveBackHack, coaching social entrepreneurs, and empowering communities through facilitating workshops and events. She is a Program Manager by day and a Social Innovation enthusiast by night. She is passionate about leveraging systems thinking to build sustainable solutions, creating true social impact in our communities.
Outside of work she loves to get outside - hiking, climbing, biking, and kayaking whenever she can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click to display answers.

  • 1. Can we sign up as more than one student for this event?

    Yes! To register more than one student, direct each member to fill out the registration form for their group/class/school.

  • 2. Is this event for high school students?

    The hackathon is catered to high school students (grades 9-12). If you are interested in sending middle school student teams to the hackathon, please reach out to us at programs@vealefound.org and we can put them on a waitlist.

  • 3. What are the times of the hackathon each day? When is check-in time?

    On Friday, February 11th, 2022, the hackathon runs from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. On Saturday, February 12th, 2022, the hackathon runs from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Participants may arrive up to 30 minutes early to check in each day.

  • 4. Are food and beverages provided for our students/staff?

    Yes, all meals and beverages are complementary in this event along with the registration – which includes snacks and dinner on Friday, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday along with coffee through both days. More information will be sent out regarding this in the Fall. Please email us at programs@vealefound.org if you or someone on your team has food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Design Challenge Hackathon Registration Form
This event is intended to be a collaborative forum for sharing, learning, building, and having fun. As such, by registering as a participant, you acknowledge that any ideas shared by you or anyone else over the course of the event are contributions to the overall experience and community. If you as a participant are worried about someone stealing your ideas, please reconsider your participation in the event itself or simply refrain from sharing specifics about your idea. As a participant in this event, you agree to be inclusive of any and all people and their ideas. You agree to act professionally, treat everyone with respect, and treat the facilities with proper care. You agree that you are responsible for any accidents or damages that you cause. You also agree to not hold GiveBackHack, The Veale Foundation, or any of the event supporters liable for any loss, damage, injury, or any other unforeseeable incident. If the organizing team feels you are not acting within the spirit of the event, you may be asked to leave without a refund for the event. By Participating at the event, you grant The Veale Foundation and GiveBackHack permission to capture photo/video of you at the event.
Please Note:

If you have friends or colleagues who are planning on attending this event, please ask them to fill in the same form individually from their end.