Addressing real-world problems

The fourth annual Community + Innovation + Technology Hackathon was held on April 18 through 20 at the Weston Ideation Lab in the Monte Ahuja College of Business. Students from Cleveland State University and University of Akron formed three, diverse teams to address real-world problems facing the Northeast Ohio communities. 

Teams pitched their ideas to four judges whose combined experience in business involves management consulting, strategic marketing, community outreach, startup, and entrepreneurship: David Fornari (retired partner of Deloitte), Nadine Nana (Marketing Consultant and Fractional CMO for B2B SaaS companies), Feowyn MacKinnon (Director, Verizon Learning Center, Curriculum & Education), and Corey Patrick (Regional Account Director of Venture for America.)

“Hackathon is a valuable opportunity for students because it allows them to flex skills that they haven’t utilized. It’s great to see the creativity from being put on the spot and asked to come up with a solution,” said Corey Patrick, who's been working in the startup industry for the last 10 years.

VIEW HACKATHON PHOTOS ON FLICKR

Problem Statements presented included:

AI in Education

How can we leverage AI to create personalized learning experiences in college classrooms to enhance student engagement and academic achievement?

With the increasing diversity of students’ backgrounds and learning styles in college classrooms, there’s a pressing need to develop AI-driven systems that can tailor learning paths to individual needs. According to a survey by EdTech Digest, 87% of students believe personalized learning and access to learning analytics positively impacts their academic success.

Digital Addiction

How might we mindfully and intentionally build technologies and skills for responsible tech use rather than abstinence? How can we harness innovative thinking and cutting-edge technology to foster a culture of responsible tech use?

Unlike other forms of addiction, complete abstinence from technology is unrealistic. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 18-19-year-olds spent an average 4.75 hours per day on social media alone, and other recent studies reveal that the average person spends over 6 hours per day on digital devices, a trend that has been consistently rising over the past year.

Local Food Systems

How could we develop platforms or technologies to support local food systems, such as farmer’s markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and small-scale producers?

Local food systems, including farmer’s markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and small-scale producers, play a crucial role in sustaining regional economies, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and providing communities with fresh, healthy food options. However, these systems often face challenges related to marketing access, distribution, and scalability, which can hinder their growth and impact.

Students were able to gain valuable insight from professors, community members, and students alike when gathering data. Many team members met for the first time on day one which fostered opportunities to network and engage in meaningful conversation. 

1st Place - $1,000

Addatutor - Addressing AI in Education

• Mary Eskander, Cleveland State University, Accounting, Undergraduate
• Daqoine Lamar, Cleveland State University, Electrical Engineering, Undergraduate
• William McCartney, Cleveland State University, Computer Science Engineering, Undergraduate
• Teresha Sims, Cleveland State University, Master of Sports Entertainment Management, Graduate
• Skye Thornsberry, Cleveland State University, Computer Science, Undergraduate
• Jadon Vanyo, University of Akron, Mechanical Engineering, Undergraduate

2nd Place - $700

Last Advancement System Technologies (L.A.S.T.) - Addressing AI in Education

• Erik Franks, Cleveland State University, Marketing, Undergraduate
• Frederick Franks, Cleveland State University, Information Systems Technology, Undergraduate
• Sri Varshit Pathapati, Cleveland State University, Finance & Economics, Undergraduate
• Hasritha Puthalapattu, Cleveland State University, Master of Information Systems, Graduate
• Meet Thakker, Cleveland State University, Computer Science Engineering, Undergraduate

Third Place - $500 and People’s Choice Award - $200

LocalBasket - Addressing Local Food Systems

• Sushma Avala, Cleveland State University, Master of Computer Science Engineering, Graduate 
• Bheem Reddy, Cleveland State University, Master of Computer Science Engineering, Graduate 
• Vishal Shailesh Mandalia, Cleveland State University, Master of Computer Science Engineering, Graduate