IACT: Creativity for Tomorrow

Calling all designers, creators, thinkers, coders, engineers, social advocates and problem solvers to the University of Dayton’s first Hackathon: Hack for Impact. This event on Feb. 18-19 is hosted by the Institute of Applied Creativity for Transformation (IACT) at ArtStreet, Hanley Sustainable Institute, KEEN/Visioneering Center, Learning Teaching Center and a team of collaborative partners. A two-day collaborative design competition, Hack for Impact focuses on solving local sustainability issues. Unlike other Hackathons, Hack for Impact relies on the creative design process rather than pure technological skill. Any student, regardless of major, is encouraged to participate, and $1,000 in prizes will be awarded to winning teams.

It is within the transdisciplinary mindset that we recognize the answer to sustainability dilemmas does not solely reside within tech. It requires the combination of design, engineering, coding, entrepreneurship, social advocacy, as well as a variety of other skill sets. Hack for Impact is that opportunity for students from a diverse range of disciplines to come together outside the classroom and work on something impactful in their own community.

Event leader Craig Boman, of University of Dayton Libraries, states the inspiration for this event comes from the design thinking process he experienced in his own education. Craig assures, “If we can encourage each other to work in society to solve real-world challenges through technology, we can all make a difference, and hopefully a career. This doesn't have to start after students graduate, it can start now.”

Kevin Hallinan, a professor in the Department of Engineering and Hackathon judge, echoes the need for more local sustainability efforts across cities and the benefits possible for residents. Hallinan is currently teaching the course “Local Sustainability with Abundance” at ArtStreet this semester. His students are developing the challenge topics for the Hackathon, and will incorporate the Hackathon results into their course projects later this spring.

Hack for Impact incorporates the IACT model of Applied Creativity by utilizing “IDA” (Ideation, Disruption and A-Ha). Event leader and IACT program coordinator Mike Puckett adds, “Ideation starts with content, ambiguity and tension. Disruption involves empathy and collaboration. A-Ha is the new knowledge resulting from the process. We will see the three executed within the challenge set-up, rapid prototyping session and presentation phase.” The “IDA” process will provide the necessary framework for participants to creatively build with a collective mindset and a focus on humanity-centered design.

Learn more and register at go.udayton.edu/hackathon. The Hackathon is open to current UD undergrad or graduate students of any major. Register by Feb 16 as space is limited; you can register as a student team or as a free agent (individual).

At the Institute of Applied Creativity for Transformation (IACT) at ArtStreet, we seek to empower a forward-thinking 21st century student with the ability to confidently develop the imaginative and creative skills necessary to excel and impact today’s innovative and global workforce regardless of degree focus. Our mindset of applied creativity stems from transdisciplinary learning (the unity of intellectual frameworks beyond the disciplinary perspectives) and humanity-centered design, harnessing imagination and vision to effectively implement unexpected, innovative ideas that can change the world. For more information about IACT at ArtStreet, call 937-229-5101 or visit go.udayton.edu/iact.