October 9, 2024
Student teams can win up to $5,000 in Wildcat Hackathon
K-State students are invited to participate in the Wildcat Hackathon, a competition that offers teams a chance to win up to $5,000 in prize money.
All students are eligible, regardless of department or degree course. Using datasets provided by the Testing Ag Performance Solutions, or TAPS, program, participants will be tasked with creating a dashboard that uses data analysis, interactivity and visualization to improve sustainable water use in Kansas.
Teams will be provided with soil, crop and weather data; working together, students must then use the provided information to create a dashboard of actionable insights for users. These include the TAPS program, farmers, crop consultants, water managers and researchers. Teams will have one week to create their submissions, and then each team will present their product to a judging panel.
Winning teams receive $5,000, while the second-place team receives $2,500. The third-place team wins $1,500. More information and a registration link are available online. Registration closes at noon on Oct. 21.
"This is a unique opportunity for K-State students to have an impact on real-world decision making," said Andres Patrignani, assistant professor in the agronomy department. "There's no one right answer in this Hackathon: students can design an intuitive interface or integrate complex datasets. The possibilities are endless."
Participation in this event is free. Teams must attend the in-person kickoff from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 23 in Hale Library's Susan Peterson Room. Team submissions are due on Oct. 31, and oral presentations will take place at 4 p.m. on Nov. 1 in the K-State Student Union.
The Wildcat Hackathon is organized by the agronomy department, the geography departmen and KSU-TAPS, and it is supported by the Kansas Water Institute. Direct questions to Andres Patrignani at andrespatrignani@k-state.edu or Abby Langston at alangston@k-state.edu.