Hackathon competition to find innovative solutions for controlling epidemics like Coronaviruses, SARS, MERS, Ebola, and Zika organized by Somerset, NJ based Thomas Edison Energy Smart Charter School.
SOMERSET, NJ., February 6, 2020 — Thomas Edison Energy Smart Charter School announces hackathon Competition on Feb,09, 2020 to find innovative solutions for controlling breakout of epidemics like Coronavirus, SARS, MERS, Ebola, and Zika and control the spreading of these deadly diseases. Students from grades 6th -12th can win prizes by pitching their smart ideas to identify the next breakout and control the spread of another epidemic or pandemic. Students are given an opportunity to stop these viral diseases and save thousands of lives. The Thomas Edison Energy Smart Charter School (TEECS) is a Somerset, NJ based tuition-free public school focused on green/renewable energy.
Governments around the world are realizing the need for a collective and coordinated defense against these epidemics. International bodies like WHO and Red Cross are engaged in revision of the International Health Regulations, treatments and protocols to tackle emerging public health threats. Public awareness, co-operation and active public participation is important for controlling and eradicating these deadly disease. The idea of this program is to encourage bright young minds to find smart innovative solutions to control the spread of these diseases. It is a wonderful platform for young students with open minds to present their ideas for fighting global public health crisis.
Surveillance of emerging infectious diseases is vital for the early identification of public health threats. Emergence of novel infections is linked to human factors such as population density, travel and trade and ecological factors like climate change and agricultural practices. A wealth of new technologies is becoming increasingly available not only for the rapid molecular identification of pathogens but also for the more accurate monitoring of infectious disease activity. Web-based surveillance tools and epidemic intelligence methods, used by all major public health institutions, are intended to facilitate risk assessment and timely outbreak detection.
Another Ebola epidemic, another plague epidemic or a new influenza pandemic are not mere probabilities, the threat is real. Whether transmitted by mosquitoes, other insects, via contact with animals or person-to-person, the only major uncertainty is when and where they, or a new, but equally lethal epidemic, will emerge. This hackathon invites students to work together to find innovative solutions to identify these problems and control the spreading of these diseases.
Event:
4 min pitch + 2 min Q&A
We recommend:
~1 minute: background and presentation of unmet need
~2 minutes: description of the proposed product/solution
~1 minute: an explanation of usage and how it will work: In the interest of time, not all team members need to speak.
Judging Criteria
20% HEALTH IMPACT: Clear statement of compelling and unmet healthcare needs.
20% INNOVATION: Solution demonstrating understanding of clinical and other stakeholder needs.
20% PRODUCT/SOLUTION: Progress in generating data, prototype, or user interface during the weekend.
20% PRESENTATION: Presentation WOW factor, staying on time, diversity (of skills) of the team.
20% EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUR SOLUTION: Can our solution really solve the problem
Awards: Grand Prize: $100.00 , Runner-up: $75.00 , Audience Choice: $50.00
Students from grades 6th -12th are eligible to participate. The presentation can be made only through PowerPoint. Final presentations to be sent by 2:00 pm Sunday to hackathon@energysmartschool.org. Cost of $10:00 charged at the door, two slices of pizza and bottled water will be served for lunch.
Note: Participants must bring their own laptop and materials to make their product. No electronic kits will be provided.
Timings:
8.30AM-9.00AM – Registration
9.00AM-9.30AM – Pitch the ideas
9.30AM-10.00AM -Team formation
10.00AM-2.00PM – Working on ideas
2.00PM-3.00PM – Presentations and judging
3.00PM-3.30PM – Award ceremony
To join, please RSVP to the link below:
https://forms.gle/F4m6NXyjqMiGTUo88
For more details visit
About TEECS:
The Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEECS) is a tuition-free public school and the first K-12 School in the state of NJ to focus specifically on green/renewable energy. TEECS’ mission is to offer a safe, secure, structured and stimulating educational environment to develop students’ academic, technical, personal, and critical thinking skills necessary to meet the standards that will enable them to succeed in a global economy, predicated on knowledge and innovation. TEECS accepts students from three area school districts including Franklin, North Brunswick and South Brunswick Townships.
Contact:
Sriya Sadhu
TEECS
150 Pierce Street, 2d Floor
Somerset, NJ 08873
+1 (732) 412 7643
sriyasadhu@energysmartschool.org