Hacking for education isn’t just about feel-good altruism.  Join us at the first-ever HackInteractive for amazing prizes, access to awesome APIS, and delicious food as we hack the weekend to benefit CampInteractive’s programming. The hackathon will be hosted by Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian.

CampInteractive is a not-for-profit organization that empowers inner-city youth through the inspiration of the outdoors and the creative power of technology.

Education issues

We asked students participating in CampInteractive's programs to identify their biggest educational challenges and outlined them below. While participating hackers are free to build anything related to education, we encourage (and reward!) hacks that directly address one of these issues:

Personalized Learning

Students learn at different rates. Across subjects this retention fluctuates.

• Is there a technical solution that provides a student specific curriculum?
• Is there a technical solution to tracking each students progress, so that students can progress in some subjects as their peers catch up in others?

My Teacher is My Hub

Outside their family, students have more contact with their teachers than anyone else. Students also need access to other social services provided by their community.

• Can a tech resource be created that will allow teachers to connect students with issue specific agencies/organizations
• Is there a repository of afterschool programs within the community that teachers can use to provide info to their students?

Teacher Technology Gap (Alternatively: Student IT)

Educators have expensive education tools in the classroom (smart boards, etc.), but the tech either isn't compatible with present curriculum tools, or the time necessary to learn the tools isn't provided. Some students know the technology well.

• What tools can be created to train the teachers on the technology
• What tools can be created to supplement present technology to make it compatible with iPads, Computers, word, powerpoint keynote etc.
• What tools can be created to helpt students help their teachers.

ELL Language Barrier

A large percentage of inner-city students (or their parents) do not speak English as their primary language and communication between educators and students/parents suffers impeding academic progress

• What translation tools can be used to help me/my parent understand my curriculum?
• What translation tools can be developed to help my parents communicate with my educators?
• Specialized High School Selection Graduating 8th grade NYC students use a telephone book sized resource to identify, understand and select their high school.  The book's organization is linear and fixed by category, and possibly confusing for students and parents. Acceptance criterea are not immediately obvious either.What tools can be created to cross evaluate teachers/faculty fairly?
• What tools can be created to provide valuable information to students before they enter the classroom?

We'll have some of the students visit during the hackathon to answer questions and provide more insight about how tech can help them learn. 

NOTE: While we’d like to accomodate everyone space is limited so it’s likely there will be a waiting list. Those on the waiting list will be notified if any slots open up. Please email us if you register but are no longer able to attend.

Interested supporting as a sponsor? Please email us!