What

What is a hackathon?

In its traditional sense, a hackathon is a short, intensive event where diverse professionals - typically computer programmers - work collaboratively to solve complex problems. Over time, the hackathon concept has evolved significantly, transcending the boundaries of programming and software development. Corporations, nonprofits, education sectors, and governments have leveraged hackathons for various goals, including innovation, learning, marketing, and human resources.

What makes a hackathon special is the sense of connection and the dynamic energy it creates among participants. This energy often leads to the development of innovative solutions to the problem at hand.

In the context of this project, we are utilizing the hackathon model as a format for learning. A hackathon can create a powerful learning experience, enabling learners to gain knowledge and develop skills, attitudes, and competencies. In an increasingly complex world, the ability to solve complex problems is vital for the next generations.

Etymology: The word "hackathon" is a portmanteau of the words "hack" and "marathon", where "hack" is used in the sense of exploratory programming, not its alternate meaning as a reference to breaching computer security. [ Source: Wikipedia ]

What is a hybrid hackathon?

The COVID-19 pandemic has further transformed hackathons, shifting from in-person events to online and hybrid models. This shift has enabled wider access to a broader range of participants and brought diverse cultural perspectives, enriching the problem-solving process.

By merging the traditional hackathon model with digital technologies, we create a learning experience beyond geographical limitations, fostering multicultural collaborations and addressing complex, global challenges such as food waste. This is the future of learning, reimagined for the digital age.

What is #Edufoodhack? #edufoodhack is a hybrid hackathon initiative that addresses food waste issues. This playbook empowers teachers to design and conduct a hackathon on any societal challenge of their choice, even though the toolkit materials are particularly tailored for an #edufoodhack to make the event as effortless as possible.

The essence of an #edufoodhack lies in collaboration. At a minimum, two teachers from different European countries are encouraged to collaboratively unite their classrooms to engage in a food-related challenge. During the #edufoodhack, these interconnected classrooms strive to comprehend and solve complex issues about food waste, learning from diverse cultural perspectives and contexts.

The hackathon process is structured so the classrooms collaborate, learn, ideate, and provide feedback on each other's work at certain milestones. This international collaboration not only enhances the richness of the solutions but also makes the experience more engaging, effective, and impactful for the students.

The primary goal of the #edufoodhack is to offer a practical and easily accessible learning experience for teachers and students in secondary education. It introduces them to the hackathon learning format, which promotes problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. By facilitating cross-border collaboration, #edufoodhack raises the event's stakes, further enriching the learning journey and making it a more exciting experience for everyone involved.

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