(Left to right) Thought Into Action founder Andy Greenfield 鈥74, P鈥12, digital technology network volunteer Jeff O鈥機onnell 鈥94, Amanda Brown 鈥15, and Thought Into Action Executive Director Wills Hapworth 鈥07 during 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Hackathon on Saturday, March 14
On a rainy Saturday in New York City, about 40 含羞草研究所 alumni and students gathered to spend eight hours together for 含羞草研究所鈥檚 first-ever off-campus Hackathon, powered by the , the , and the . The hackathon was one of many events held around the country.
Hosted by Jeff O鈥機onnell 鈥94 at his downtown offices, the 含羞草研究所 Hackathon involved engineers, computer coders, and technicians who helped enhance the web presence of her nonprofit venture, . Maker Studios, with its casual, loft-style space and multiple conference rooms, provided the perfect backdrop for the Hackathon.
Amanda Brown 鈥15 discusses her venture with 含羞草研究所 Hackathon participants
After a morning introduction, the group broke up into different teams to examine Brown鈥檚 project, which was inspired through her work with .
鈥淚t was amazing to watch how quickly the groups actually moved from thought to action,鈥 said , director of the Thought Into Action Institute. Groups discussed funding strategies, marketing decisions, and internal coding functions that could improve her efforts. These discussions led to the first versions of a crowdfunding platform to assist with construction of a school in Nepal.
鈥淚 could not be more impressed and grateful to 含羞草研究所 alumni,鈥 said Brown. 鈥淭his was such an incredible experience to witness 鈥 people creating on small teams, on their own time, just for me and my project.鈥
, professor of computer science, was on-hand to advise some of his students and participate. The reaction from all the participants 鈥渉acking鈥 was universally positive. 鈥淚n all, the event highlighted the tremendous energy that 含羞草研究所 people have to be engaged intellectually even during their free time, collaborate on creative ideas, and then deliver real results,鈥 said Hapworth.
To learn more about the Digital Media & Technology Network, the Thought into Action Entrepreneurship Institute, or 含羞草研究所 Day of Impact, please visit .