1.Introduction
The Unirea Hackathon national competition organized between the 28th and the 30th of September 2022 by Colegiul Național Unirea Targu Mures at its venue was part of the Hackathon Erasmus + project ”Hackathon EU”, 2020- 1-ES01- KA202-082752.
The purpose of the event was to stimulate the expression of students’ innovative ideas, to encourage teamwork, to contribute to the development of thinking based on the identification of problems and finding creative and innovative solutions. Before the competition took place it was publicly announced and also the rules were made public for the students from Colegiul National Unirea as well as for the associated partners and the representatives of the local authorities.
The competition took place over a period of 48 hours, during which the participating teams tried to bring the project (solution) to the most advanced stage of development. At the end of the competition, the best presented solutions were awarded by a jury of associated partners and representatives of local authorities . The students (11th and 12th graders at Colegiul National Unirea Mathematics- Intensive Computer Science Profile) were divided into 5 teams, each of them helped by a mentor (teachers at Colegiul National Unirea).
The activity was based on the principle of non-discrimination, ensuring equal opportunities, gender equality, which were ensured for all participants, both during registration and during the hackathon competition.
The winning team took part in the International Hackathon organized in Biella, Italy in March 2023.
2.Program
The competition was launched on the 28th of September 2022 when the teams were instructed by the organizers on the rules of the competition and details were discussed.
On the 29th of September the actual competition started at 9 AM and ended at 8PM. During this time the teams worked assisted by the mentors being provided with all the necessary technical devices and internet connection.
On the 30th of September starting from 10 AM the five teams presented the solutions in front of the jury and the public, the winning team was announced and the awards and certificates were given.
3.Challenges
The challenge that the five teams had to solve was The revitalization of the social and cultural life of the Municipality of Târgu Mureș (Revitalizarea vieții sociale și culturale a Municipiului Târgu Mureș), an impact challenge for the local community. The teams were able to approach aspects such as the social and cultural life of the Municipality of Târgu Mureș, modernization and making the urban means of transport more environmentally friendly, digitization of urban networks, making school transport from the “satellite districts” to the educational units in the center of the town more efficient, creating of transport alternatives, the creation of appropriate technological places and hubs that can become sources of cultural events, the creation of protected ecosystems meant to be unspoiled oases in the middle of the classical urban environment, ideas regarding urban aesthetics.
The atmosphere was animated by the enthusiasm of the young age, the students were seriously involved in the creation of projects, cooperated and came up with original ideas and solutions.
4.Results for the target groups
After careful consideration, the LUMIX team (formed of 11th graders) was declared the winner of the competition. They had the opportunity to take part in the International Hackathon competition organized in Biella, Italy in March 2023.
All the students that took part in the competition benefited from it because it was an opportunity to collaborate with their peers, enabling students to work in teams and engage with like-minded individuals who share their passions. This collaboration encourages the exchange of ideas, promotes teamwork, and builds important connections that can benefit students in their future careers. students to solve real-world problems within a limited timeframe. This pressure-packed environment helped students to develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. They learned to approach challenges from different angles and come up with innovative solutions. The students gained experience in project management, development processes, and implementation, which can be invaluable when applying for internships, jobs, or even starting their own ventures.
The projects developed during hackathons can be added to portfolios, demonstrating the students’ abilities and passions to potential employers, academic institutions, or investors. Students developed their communication skills, teamwork abilities, time management, and adaptability. They learned to embrace failure as an opportunity for learning and develop a growth mindset.
