FAQ 1. What is a "hackathon?" No one is "hacking" into anything. It is a problem solving, entrepreneurial, coding competition. To succeed, teams have to explain the problem and demonstrate how they would solve it with software. This is a 24 hour event. Maybe it should be called "App-a-thon" but the students like "hackathon." 2. What is the goal of the event? To have fun and learn about programming and how applications are developed. 3. Do we need to know a lot about programming or a specific language? No, you just need an interest. Teams will not benefit in having all programmers. They need to come up with an idea that will solve a problem in their community (school, city, or larger). They need to design that solution and then they need to build a working prototype. It doesn't have to be completed. At the end of the event, teams will show off what they created. 4. What if I hava no programming experience? Professionals will be there to help. Teams will form, come up with an idea and then professionals will help them to choose a platform they can handle. This could be HTML, C++, Java or something like App Inventor or Scratch. 5. What if I don't have a complete team? Teams will form when they get there. The teams do not have to be formed before the event. Teams don't need to be composed of members from a specific school either. We will help students to find a team. However, there is no going it solo. We want students to work in a group. 6. What is the team size? Teams are 3 to 5 students. The solutions are much better when people work cooperatively together. 7. Can you leave the event early? Students can leave early and they can come back. Leaving early requires a message to me from their parent. If they leave, the only way to come back is by being accompanied by a parent. Their safety is our concern. 8. What do I need to bring? A computer. It can be a desktop or a laptop. If they don't have a personal device, we can help. We just need to know. They can bring a sleeping bag if they feel they will need to take a nap. They can bring snacks and money for the vending machines, but there will be plenty of food and drinks. A water bottle to refill is helpful. We want them to stay hydrated. 9. Will winners receive prizes? We will recognize the winners in three categories: Most Innovative (this is idea or adaption of a technology), Best in Show (most all around. Idea & coding), and Most Community impact (idea with the most impact). Winners receive a trophy. 10. When do they need to register? By October 14th. We are ordering food and t-shirts based on the number registered. This will give us about 2 weeks to ensure we are ready for the group. If they register late, we won't be able to get them a t-shirt. We will plan for a few extra, so you can register up until the day of the event, but please register early!



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