SocialTech: Hacking for Good Hackathon

SocialTech: Hacking for Good Hackathon
11 Aug 2024
SocialTech: Hacking for Good Hackathon

Ramallah, Palestine – August 7, 2024 – MENACatalyst successfully hosted the SocialTech: Hacking for Good Hackathon, which took place in Ramallah, Palestine at Al-Qattan Foundation. The event provided a platform for 100 Palestinian youth to showcase their innovative solutions and skills in STEAM, entrepreneurship, and 21st-century competencies, addressing crucial social and environmental issues within their communities.

 

Over the past eight months, MENACatalyst has empowered 100 students from the West Bank with comprehensive training in STEAM and entrepreneurship Our curriculum seamlessly integrated technical expertise with critical thinking, enabling students to address humanitarian, environmental, and social challenges with innovative solutions. By fostering a culture of innovation, MENACatalyst has inspired them to develop creative solutions to these pressing issues.

 

A highlight of the program was a three-week innovation camp where students worked together on innovative project concepts. These ideas were further developed during our SocialTech: Hacking for Good Hackathon, where 11 teams showcased their inventive social and environmental initiatives to a group of expert judges. This intensive camp allowed students to collaborate, brainstorm, and receive mentorship, transforming their creative ideas into actionable projects. These projects were subsequently presented at the SocialTech: Hacking for Good Hackathon, where 11 teams showcased their inventive initiatives to a panel of expert judges.

Here are the winning teams:

Winning Teams:

  1. First Place - Second Life: This innovative application addresses electronic waste disposal by enabling users to buy and sell reusable electronic parts. With an AI-powered scanning feature, users can find and purchase similar items more conveniently, promoting recycling and reducing e-waste.
  2. Second Place - Hear Us: This project introduces AI-powered smart gloves that translate sign language into spoken words or real-time captions. This technology aims to enhance communication for individuals with hearing disabilities and facilitate their integration into various sectors.
  3. Third Place - Turuqati: This app simplifies car service management and navigation with features such as road monitoring, car sharing, and real-time notifications. It aims to enhance the driving experience with comprehensive road maps and security information.

MENACatalyst is a leading organization dedicated to fostering innovation and empowering youth in the MENA region through comprehensive STEAM and entrepreneurship programs. Our mission is to provide young people with the tools, resources, and mentorship they need to address pressing social and environmental challenges. By supporting and nurturing the next generation of innovators, MENACatalyst aims to drive positive change and create sustainable solutions for the future. For more information about MENACatalyst and our programs, please visit https://www.menacatalyst.org or contact us at info@menacatalyst.org