INTRODUCTION
The HACKATHON SPAIN took place in the classrooms of the UPV campus at the Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineering and Natural Resources of the Polytechnic University of Valencia. It was the result of a joint effort by the public institutions IES LLUIS SIMARRO, IES ABASTOS, and CIPFP Mislata, along with UPV, American Space Valencia (an organization affiliated with the U.S. Embassy in Spain), and the BioAgradables association.
The objective was to host a national hackathon with 50 VET (Vocational Education and Training) students from the participating public institutions in a university setting. Through this competition, students developed cross-cutting skills, teamwork, initiative, decision-making, all within the framework of sustainable development and the use of new technologies.
To achieve this, over the course of two days, on April 7th and 8th, 2022, participants received training and had access to the necessary resources to tackle one of the three challenges related to biodiversity and the environment that were presented to them.
During the first day, 10 teams consisting of 5 students each were formed with a diverse composition to promote inclusivity and the adaptation of the various participants. Subsequently, workspaces were provided for each team to develop their projects.
AGENDA 7th and 8th April 2023
April 7th / THURSDAY
9:00-9:30
Welcome and Presentation of Challenges:
9:00-12:00
Expert Presentations:
9:30 – 10:00 Laura Palacín Fernández – Marine Biologist at the Osa Conservation Association (Costa Rica).
“Using Technology for Conservation in the Osa Peninsula.”
10:00 – 10:30 Mar Roca Mora – Predoctoral Researcher (ICMAN-CSIC)
Department of Ecology and Coastal Management.
“A Sea of Data: Geospatial Solutions.”
10:30 – 11:00 Dr. Jose Rafael García March – Scientific Director of the Institute for Research in the Environment and Marine Science. IP of the Marine Biology Group. Professor at the Catholic University of Valencia.
“Science in Marine Biology.”
11:00 – 11:30 Emilio Beladiez Martínez – Environmental Educator and Coordinator of the BIOagradables Association.
“Innovation on the Beaches of Valencia.”
15:00 – 20:00
Team Development
Coffee Break
17:30-18:00
April 8th / FRIDAY
9:30 – 12:00
Team Development
15:00 – 18:00
Presentation of Final Ideas
18:00 – 19:00
Award Ceremony
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of this event are:
- Development of cross-cutting competencies.
- Fostering teamwork.
- Encouraging initiative, both individually and collectively.
- Enhancing decision-making skills in a challenging environment.
CHALLENGES
The challenges presented to the participants revolved around finding potential solutions to three environmental issues:
- Underwater Outfall: The currents in the area do not disperse waste; instead, they concentrate and bring it closer to the coast.
- Marine Litter: Addressing the presence of litter along the Valencian coast and its negative impact on the flora, fauna, and landscape of our beaches.
- Albufera and Water Eutrophication: Dealing with the excess nutrients caused by fertilizer use in crops, which deplete the oxygen needed by other species.
To assist participants in their presentations, a set of guidelines and directives were provided to standardize the structure of their proposals. These presentations were expected to adhere to the following format:
Introduction/Context/Issue:
Framing the issue.
Explaining the problem.
Development of the Idea/Solution:
Elaborating the reasoning leading to the solution.
Explaining the proposed solution.
Applicability/Budget:
Breaking down the budget.
Providing examples of applicability.
Considering scalability to businesses.
RESULTS
A total of 50 VET students from the three educational institutions participated in the event, forming heterogeneous groups of 5 members, including students from IES Dr. Lluis Simarro, IES Abastos, and CIPFP Mislata. These 10 groups were distributed across four classrooms to develop a solution and prepare a presentation that they would present to the jury within a maximum time limit of 15 minutes.
The jury consisted of personalities from the educational and business world who were invited to the event: a member of the USA Embassy, a professor from UPV, Carlos González from Makers UPV, Borja Mantecón, a professional in the field of new technologies, and an Education Inspector, Joan Vercher.
The three finalist projects were selected, and from among them, the winning project of the Hackathon was chosen. Those students who were part of the winning team guaranteed their participation in the international Hackathon to be held in Biella, Italy.
The winning project, presented by team 9, proposed a solution to challenge number 3: water eutrophication in the Albufera. It involved the combined use of drones with an early detection app for eutrophication risk zones, utilizing satellite images and self-sufficient drone stations with multispectral cameras. Specific and environmentally friendly algaecides were used in the area to be treated, minimizing risks to the local flora and fauna.
