Hackathon Summary
DivHacks 2024: Tech for Social Good was held at Columbia University, New York, on October 5-6, 2024. The hackathon facilitated the creation of 64 projects by bringing together developers, demonstrating its dedication to enhancing both technical and soft skills while tackling societal issues.
Key tracks included Education, Environment, Media, Fashion, Civic, and Health. Sponsored tracks were supported by organizations such as Capital One, Google, and the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, focusing on financial solutions, creative technology, and patient safety, respectively. MLH supported tracks for projects incorporating MongoDB, domain names, and DEI hacking.
The event aimed to develop impactful solutions in sectors such as sustainability, civic engagement, and healthcare. These themes attracted diverse innovations, reinforcing the goal of leveraging technology for societal benefit. Platforms like DoraHacks, Discord, and associated websites facilitated participant interactions by providing vital resources. By uniting students with a common interest in technology for social good, the hackathon highlighted creative BUIDLs and encouraged future collaborations.
Hackathon Winners
Best Overall Track Prize Winners
- StrokePlayAR - An AR application utilizing Snap's Spectacles, designed for stroke rehabilitation through gamified activities to enhance mobility and well-being.
- SynapsED - A financial literacy platform aimed at empowering young individuals to build wealth and break generational financial challenges by encouraging early investment habits.
- Penny Pals - A financial literacy platform teaching investment skills through a simulation where parents fund accounts, and children make decisions using real-time market data. It fosters collaboration, risk management, and healthy financial habits, with future plans for iMessage integration and parental controls.
General Tracks Prize Winners
- Education: SynapsED
- Environment: Pothos A SaaS platform for small businesses to optimize Sustainability-Linked Loans using KPIs and NFT-secured contracts, promoting sustainability.
- Media: NewsLyzer AI-powered news bias filter employing NLP and machine learning to assess credibility, summarize articles, and detect biases in real-time.
- Fashion: Fashion Faeries A web app providing personalized outfit suggestions and resale comparison, promoting sustainable fashion using machine learning.
- Civic Tech: PinPoint A crowdsourced map enhancing community interactions through user-submitted Pins on topics like accessibility and safety.
- Health: StrokePlayAR
Sponsor Tracks Prize Winners
- Google: Best Use of Google NotebookLM: PunditPal An AI platform analyzing political discourse, utilizing NotebookLM and Vapi for debate training.
- Snap AR: Dream It Build It!: StrokePlayAR
- Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative: Patient Safety Technology Challenge: MediTrack A JavaScript tool for safer medication prescribing, preventing errors with Google’s NotebookLM.
- Capital One: Best Financial Hack: Penny Pals
MLH Tracks Prize Winners
- GoDaddy Registry: Best Domain Name: Voice Vision A virtual learning platform creating engaging video podcasts from learning materials.
- Auth0 by Okta: Best Use of Auth0: NeuroTalent Connects neurodivergent students with employers, promoting inclusion through events and tailored support.
- Best Use of Fidelity: Strands Gamifies university learning with interactive word games to enhance engagement and attendance.
- Best Use of MongoDB Atlas: Fashion Faeries
- Best Beginner Hack: What's Cookin' Optimizes campus dining with real-time dish recommendations and meal tracking using web scraping and algorithmic data management.
For a detailed look at all projects, visit DivHacks 2024.
Organization
DivHacks 2024
DivHacks 2024: Tech for Social Good, hosted by Columbia University Women in Computing Society, is a vital platform at Columbia University and Barnard College, amplifying underrepresented voices in technology. The hackathon focuses on creating impactful and sustainable technology-driven solutions, exploring the potential of technology to address societal challenges. By encouraging participants to combine creativity with technical skills, the event fosters progress in confronting pressing social issues, underlining its commitment to social change through technological excellence.