On 16 September, the national Hackathon with the theme “Let’s Stop the Fires” took place at the headquarters of the Business Association of Penafiel, Rua do Paço, which included two AEP Adult Education and Training classes.
After a welcome reception, Vítor Sousa, AEP learning system trainee, presented the theme of fires from the perspective of a young Portuguese, approaching the concept in general, the types of fires and their origins.
Afterwards, the theme of the Hackathon was presented, starting with the forest fires that covered in the media during the so-called “fire season” and their consequences and impacts. The challenge was set to devise a way to stop this wave of fires, year after year, and thus, avoid these consequences and impacts. In this phase, trainees were guided to reflect on the different ways to stop forest fires, explore the constraints to create a Solution.
After this phase, working groups were created, which started by carrying out research and building a solution. In the afternoon, the teams continued their work, concluded the research and finished the construction of their idea. Then began the preparation of the Speech with the support of an electronic presentation.
In the last phase of the Hackathon, each team presented and defended its Solution to the Jury. After the presentations, the Jury deliberated and named the winning solution. Of course, there was a prize for the winning group and souvenirs for everyone.
The trainees, during this activity, were encouraged to develop transversal skills and key competences such as digital skills, innovation, critical thinking, problem solving and learning to learn.
