"The Our Lady of Peace (OLP) student group Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) used design thinking to create the format and problem case for the Hackathon. They invited girls from all over the San Diego region and worked to secure financial sponsorship from local businesses and individuals. This student-led approach taught OLP students not only how to create and manage large events and nurture their passions for STEM, but also helped them develop a culture of philanthropy and honed their financial acumen so they can play active roles in money management in the future.
The prompt developed for the Hackathon was "Engineering Health in the Modern World." More than 70 girls in grades 8-12 gathered at OLP for the one-day Hackathon and created ideas such as producing candles with herbs to prevent hookah smoking in the Middle East, writing a soil treatment plan to prevent Buruli Ulcers in Australia and Oceania, and building a prototype of a mosquito furnace to prevent malaria and yellow fever in Northern Africa."
From the Judges
A student-led project is always a great idea, and this is certainly a worthwhile endeavor. This special event should enable students to better understand philanthropy's role within institutions.
