First Hackathon hosted by Mount Allison
This term, Mount Allison hosted its first hackathon. Organized by students, faculty, and staff, the conference aimed to build a computer science community and inspire technological innovation by encouraging high school and university students across the Maritimes to learn, build, and pitch projects. The 2019 event focused on technology for environmental sustainability and featured workshops, industry booths, and social events.
Working with computer science faculty advisor Dr. Laurie Ricker (鈥87), a team of student organizers welcomed participants from across the region, both post-secondary and high school students, on campus for the inaugural event, working in groups over the course of either 12-hour or 16-hour streams.
鈥淢tA Hacks was aimed at both beginner programmers and those with more experience,鈥 says Graeme Zinck (鈥20), a computer science and commerce student who lead the organizing team. 鈥淧roject ideas for the day were open-ended, but many focused on environmental sustainability topics, thanks to the assistance and input of Mount Allison environmental science students.鈥
The conference also welcomed several 痳豆TV视频 alumni to campus as judges of the event, including: Chris MacKay (鈥91) (Tantramar Interactive); Olivier Bourgeois (鈥18) (Dell EMC); Finn Lidbetter (鈥17) (RideCo); and Will Fiset (鈥17) and Micah Stairs (鈥17), who both work for Google. Bourgeois, Lidbetter, Fiset, and Stairs all competed in programming competitions as students at Mount Allison, placing nationally and internationally.
MtA Hacks was supported by the 痳豆TV视频 President鈥檚 Office, the Department of Student Affairs, the Department of Experiential Learning and Career Development, and the Campbell-Verduyn Fund.
Hear more about the Hackathon on CBC Moncton鈥檚 Information Morning: