DREAMerHack: Hackathon Academy
Hacking Alienation
#DREAMerHack is the next Hackathon Academy by Qeyno that will once again invite Bay Area youth to solve the world’s biggest problems through a three-day immersive experience with coding, design, and innovation.
Bay Area youth and mentors will work together to build “sanctuary” apps to address the growing insecurities and safety-risks for those affected by forced displacement, whether it be deportation, loss of stable housing, or natural disasters such as hurricanes or fires.
In the tradition of the hackers who conducted the Underground Railroad, #DREAMerHack is focused on “hacking alienation”. Youth will become Trailblazers alongside their mentors and identify innovative ways to help others find their way towards freedom.
For YOUTH (Trailblazers):
Do you have an idea for an app or website that solves a problem that you care about? We care too! Qeyno created this magical opportunity for you to make it happen in three days.
You Don't Need to know How To Code!
Don't know how to code or design? Our mentors will show you and help you along, building the app or website of your dreams. The will also prepare you to present and pitch your idea to a panel of experts who share their wisdom on taking your prototype to the next level.
So what are you waiting for? Become a Trailblazer and complete our application process to become one of the chosen few to experience a Qeyno Hackathon Academy.
For MENTORS (Adult Professionals - Developers, Designers, Innovators):
A Qeyno Hackathon Academy is a great place to not just practice your coding and design skills, but to take them to the next level through an intense and immersive hackathon experience like no other. You will be working alongside high potential youth from low opportunity settings who are excited to learn from you. You will be supporting them in the development of their prototypes and transforming their ideas into innovations.
- DEVELOPERS - They will always remember the first time you showed them how to code a "Hello World" or how you helped pull them through the frustration of CSS or a javascript line. Some may have some coding experience, but most will not, and you will be introducing them to your superpower and awaken the hacker in them. We welcome the use of all programming languages.
- DESIGNERS - The first time you show them your Wacom Tablet or how to flatten layers in Adobe Illustrator will change them forever. You will develop their talents as artists and creatives and reveal just how important the "A" is in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art Design, and Mathematics. We welcome the use of all design tools.
- INNOVATORS - Steve Jobs could not code or design, but was master in conducting the orchestra of talent around to create product symphonies. You will be helping our future politicians, business leaders, marketers, economists - and more, understand the role that STEAM has in every sector of problem solving imaginable. The future is written in code, and you will unlock their ability to manage their team, understand data analysis, and masterfully pitch their prototype to the world.
Hackathon Academy Schedule
Each participant will commit three (3) days to the event. Here is what our days will look like:
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Day One: Friday, February 23, 2018
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4:00pm - Doors Open & Check in Opens
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5:00pm - Dinner + Networking
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6:00pm - Welcome: Speakers and Hackathon Officially Begins
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6:30pm - Pitches Start
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8:00pm - Voting
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8:25pm - Team Formation
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9:00 pm - Wrap Up
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Day Two: Saturday, February 24, 2018
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7:00am - Breakfast
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8:00am - Workshop: Intro to MVP and Rapid Prototyping
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8:20am - Team Registration + Workspace Assignment
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9:00am - Hacking Begins
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12:00pm - Lunch
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6:00pm - Dinner
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10:00 pm - Wrap Up
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Day Three: Sunday, February 25, 2018
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7:00am - Breakfast
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8:00am - Workshop - Pitching Your Best Self
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12:00pm - Lunch
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3:00pm - Pitch Deck Submission Deadline
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4:00pm - Final Pitches
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5:30pm - Judging & Awards
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5:45pm - Rites of Passage Ceremony / Wrap Up
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6:00pm - Community Celebration
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* A final schedule will be posted and distributed closer to the event.
Trailblazers, Mentors, Volunteers, and Press - click on the tickets button for access.
A Safe Space for Everyone
A majority of our youth participants, referred to as "Trailblazers", will be Black, Latino, and under-represented Asian and Pacific Islander youth. Although our hackathon makes strides to involve the participation of young men of color and improving their life outcomes, this experience is open to every Trailblazer and every Mentor regardless of gender and gender orientation. We welcome our girls and young women, their genius, their leadership, and their designs.
If you would like to be a lead or presenting sponsor for this experience, please contact Qeyno at team@qeyno.com.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Hackathon Academy free for my child?
Yes, all participation in Hackathon Academy is subsidized upon acceptance of their application and enrollment to become a Trailblazer.
Do students require prior knowledge of coding or computer science?
No. Enrollees are not expected to have any background or prior exposure to coding.
I would like to be a mentor, but i am not a person of color. am i welcome?
Yes, mentors of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply (there is an approval process to determine community fitness) to create an inclusive experience for all.
Does my child need a laptop to participate?
We highly encourage students bring their own laptops; however, we do provide donated laptops for students to use during the hackathon. If you would like to donate a working laptop to be used by our students, please click here.
How can i support the work of qeyno?
Thank you for your support. Here are the many ways you can grow our work to include more youth and their mentors in more locations:
- Direct donations are covered by our non-profit 501(c)3 fiscal sponsorship and can be made here
- Register to become a Developer, Designer, and Innovator mentor here
- Help recruit mentors and enroll youth
Location
Dates
to 25th February 2018 - 06:00 PM